Report: Italy to set up state rolling-stock company to buy and lease trains

The ROSCO is to receive EUR 1.2 billion of PNRR funds to buy trains and also take over trains already financed by the PNRR, worth about EUR 1 billion; bidders for the regional and intercity concessions planned for June can source vehicles there instead of from Trenitalia. Stricter deadline and monitoring rules apply to the 2027–2030 RFI programme contract (EUR 120 billion of infrastructure investment).

According to Corriere della Sera, Italy's rail reform is imminent: under a law on the last PNRR phase that is due to enter into force in January, the government has decided to set up a state-owned ROSCO outside the FS Group that is to acquire locomotives, multiple units and coaches and lease them to operators; its five-member board will be appointed by the transport and finance ministries. It receives EUR 1.2 billion from the PNRR, part of which was originally earmarked for Trenitalia, and also wants to take over about one hundred trains already bought with PNRR funds for around EUR 1 billion; the ministry and Trenitalia are in dispute over ownership of trains already in service. Stricter deadline rules are also to be written into the 2027–2030 RFI programme contract worth EUR 120 billion, and in the tenders for the subsidised regional and intercity concessions planned for June, bidders can turn to the ROSCO instead of Trenitalia. (LOK Report, 13 Jan 2026)