MILAN (Reuters) - Italy launched a high-speed train link between the northern cities of Milan and Bologna on Saturday, part of a planned expansion to reach Rome next year and woo passengers away from airlines.
The fast train will cut travel time between the two cities to 65 minutes, state railway company unit Trenitalia said. Other trains take about twice as long on average to cover the 210-km (130-mile) stretch.
"The train has become a transport solution for everyone and throws out a challenge to the airplane," Trenitalia said in a statement.
Regular high-speed service from Milan to Bologna will start Sunday. Italy has three other fast train routes.
The high-speed service is scheduled to reach Rome next year and cut travel time between Milan, Italy's financial center, and the capital to three-and-a-half hours non-stop.
