Regional Trains Begin Serving Napoli Afragola
Regional trains have begun calling at Napoli Afragola for the first time, providing new interchange opportunities between local and high-speed rail services in southern Italy.
From July 4, selected Trenitalia Regional services have started serving the station, allowing passengers travelling on local routes across Campania to connect directly with Frecciarossa services and the developing Napoli–Bari high-speed corridor.
Until now, Napoli Afragola has been served almost exclusively by high-speed trains, requiring many regional passengers to travel via Napoli Centrale to make onward connections. The introduction of Regional services creates a new interchange point north of the city, making journeys between Campania's local rail network and Italy's high-speed services more straightforward.
The new stop forms part of wider changes to rail services in the region following the opening of new infrastructure on the Napoli–Cancello route, itself part of the future Napoli–Bari high-speed railway. As a result, regional timetables have been revised to incorporate calls at Napoli Afragola and provide improved connectivity across the network.
The introduction of Regional services also reflects the growing role of Napoli Afragola as a strategic hub within southern Italy's railway network. Designed by architect Zaha Hadid and opened in 2017, the station was built as an interchange between Italy's north–south high-speed line and the future route towards Bari. With Regional trains now calling, the station moves closer to fulfilling its intended role as a gateway between local and long-distance rail services.
The changes form part of Trenitalia's wider programme to improve integration between regional and high-speed services, making rail travel more convenient for passengers travelling both within Campania and onwards to destinations across Italy.
Image: Aerial view of Napoli. ID 45054476. © Minnystock. Dreamstime.com.
ÖBB Plans New Daily Wien–Firenze Railjet Service from 2027
ÖBB has applied for train paths to introduce a new daily international service between Wien and Firenze from the December 2027 timetable change, creating a potential new direct rail link between Austria and Tuscany.
The proposed service would operate as RJX 155 from Wien Hauptbahnhof at 10:53, arriving at Firenze Santa Maria Novella at 20:50. The return working, RJX 154, would depart Firenze at 09:10 and arrive in Wien at 19:07.
The planned service would run throughout the year, using Railjet trains with capacity for 442 passengers.
The proposed route would connect Austria and Italy via the scenic Semmering and southern Austrian corridors before crossing the border at Tarvisio Boscoverde. Intermediate stops would include Wien Meidling, Bruck an der Mur, Graz, Klagenfurt, Villach, Tarvisio Boscoverde, Udine, Pordenone, Treviso Centrale, Venezia Mestre, Padova, Terme Euganee/Abano/Montegrotto, Rovigo, Ferrara, Bologna Centrale and Prato Centrale.
If approved and introduced, the service would provide a new direct daytime connection between two major European cultural destinations, complementing existing ÖBB international services and expanding rail options between Austria and Italy.
The application is currently part of the timetable planning process, and final details including confirmation of operation, timings and commercial arrangements will follow once capacity allocation has been completed.
Electric Trains to Transform Services on Portugal's Algarve Line
Electric trains will begin operating along the entire Algarve Line from July 19, following the completion of electrification works between Lagos and Vila Real de Santo António.
The introduction of electric traction marks a major milestone for rail transport in southern Portugal, replacing diesel operation on the 141 km route and bringing faster journeys, more frequent services and increased capacity.
The new timetable will see CP introduce an 18% increase in Regional services, together with additional peak-hour trains. A new direct service between Vila Real de Santo António and Lagos will eliminate the need for many passengers to change trains at Faro, while two daily InterRegional services with fewer intermediate stops will provide faster journeys across the Algarve.
Diesel multiple units currently used on the route will be replaced by Class UTE 2240 electric multiple units. These offer around 40% more passenger capacity, together with improved accessibility, quieter operation and modern passenger information systems.
The completion of the electrification programme also delivers environmental benefits by eliminating diesel operation on the line, supporting Portugal's wider programme to decarbonise its railway network.
Running along Portugal's southern coast, the Algarve Line links many of the region's principal towns, including Lagos, Portimão, Albufeira, Faro, Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António. The route plays an important role in both everyday travel and tourism, with passenger numbers having grown steadily in recent years.
The improved timetable is expected to strengthen rail's role as the backbone of public transport in the Algarve while also providing better connections with long-distance services to Lisboa and northern Portugal.
Stansted Express Trials Overnight Friday Services
Passengers using London Stansted Airport will benefit from new overnight rail services this summer, with Stansted Express introducing a trial of late-night trains between the airport and London.
The additional services begin on July 3 and will operate every Friday night into Saturday morning until September 25, providing a new public transport option for passengers arriving on late-night flights or travelling to catch early morning departures.
Most of the additional trains will operate between Stansted Airport and Tottenham Hale, where passengers can connect with London's Victoria line Night Tube. A small number of services will also operate to and from London Liverpool Street.
The overnight trains will run approximately every 30 minutes between around midnight and 05:00, filling a gap in the existing timetable when rail services are normally unavailable.
Stansted Express says the trial has been made possible through closer planning between Greater Anglia and Network Rail, allowing engineering work to be rescheduled while maintaining essential overnight maintenance on the route.
The operator will monitor passenger demand throughout the trial before deciding whether overnight services could become a permanent feature of the timetable.
The introduction of the trial follows the recent launch of contactless pay-as-you-go ticketing at Stansted Airport, making rail travel between the airport and London easier for many passengers.
If successful, the trial would provide a significant enhancement to rail access at one of the UK's busiest airports, particularly for travellers using overnight and early morning flights.
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