photo: Hitachi Rail/Illustrative photo
Rome gets new metro trains, Budapest gets digital signalling, and Hitachi and Knorr-Bremse get Europe’s rail future in motion. From couplers to code, the continent’s infrastructure is finally catching up.
Rome is set to modernise its metro fleet with the help of German tech supplier Knorr-Bremse and rolling stock manufacturer Hitachi Rail. According to Knorr-Bremse's press release, the company has been commissioned to equip up to 30 new metro trains with advanced braking, coupling, and entrance systems under a framework agreement, which includes an initial order for 14 trains and an option for 16 more.
As stated by Dr. Nicolas Lange, Executive Board Member at Knorr-Bremse AG, "Safe, smooth and sustainable rail mobility is a key element in transportation strategies for major urban centers." He added that the Rome project strengthens Knorr-Bremse’s position in the rail coupler segment, in line with their BOOST programme.
The new trains will include Knorr-Bremse’s ‘AutoLink’ automatic front couplers and ‘ShortLink’ semi-permanent couplers, both engineered at facilities in Munich and Budapest. These modular and maintenance-friendly couplers will improve operational flexibility and safety. Alongside coupling systems, FlexControl Modular brake units and WheelGrip technologies will ensure consistently reliable braking. The IFE sliding plug doors, designed for frequent cycles typical of metro traffic, will support robust and efficient passenger flows across the network.
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Signalling Transformation: Hitachi Rail Boosts Budapest-Hatvan Line
While Knorr-Bremse focuses on Rome, Hitachi Rail has completed a significant signalling upgrade between Budapest’s Rákos station and Hatvan, a key corridor in eastern Hungary. According to Hitachi Rail, this 60-kilometre section is part of one of Hungary’s most important railway infrastructure projects in recent years.
The project involved six electronic interlockings at key stations and the deployment of ETCS Level 2—a digital train control system that uses GSM-R communication to enforce safe train speeds and routing. The European Train Control System allows trains to travel at speeds up to 160 km/h with improved punctuality and fewer disruptions.
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Hitachi Rail also installed 73 new point machines and integrated 23 level crossings into the digital control system. These upgrades were complemented by AI-powered diagnostics, which offer real-time monitoring of equipment performance and enable predictive maintenance—minimising delays and system faults.
Long-Term Vision: Sustainability, Speed, and Seamless Mobility
The Rome and Budapest projects show a growing trend across Europe: integrating digital technology and high-performance systems to upgrade both urban transit and intercity rail.
Italy, like other European nations, is expanding its rail fleets to meet rising urban mobility demands. Knorr-Bremse, already active in projects in Milan, is reinforcing its role as a trusted supplier of critical rail subsystems across the continent.
In Hungary, the Budapest-Hatvan line is used by both commuters and freight, and the improvements deliver reduced travel times for passengers and unrestricted freight operations. As Hitachi Rail’s Hannes Boyer noted, "Our cutting-edge solutions will help increase speed, reliability and capacity on the line, helping to deliver more seamless, sustainable transport for passengers and freight."
Future Outlook: Scalable Innovation Across Europe
Both initiatives reflect the European rail sector’s commitment to decarbonisation, automation, and network efficiency. As cities like Rome invest in smarter metro systems and countries like Hungary digitise their national lines, firms like Hitachi Rail and Knorr-Bremse are proving central to Europe’s railway transformation. With demand for resilient, low-emission, and digital-ready rail solutions rising, these projects represent more than isolated upgrades—they are stepping stones toward a smarter, more connected European rail network.
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Sources: Knorr-Bremse; Hitachi Rail