Hitachi Rail Italy produces first train for Honolulu metro

(AGI) Rome, Mar 25 - The fitting-out of the first of 20 four-carriage vehicles planned for the new Honolulu underground railway has been completed by  Hitachi Rail Italy. The first vehicle has left the HRI factory in Pittsburg, California and is on its way to the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Production began at the factory in Reggio Calabria, southern Italy, where the carriage structures were built and assembled, before being completed and equipped with technological innovations. The underground system is driverless and uses sophisticated control systems produced by Ansaldo STS, the leader of the Ansaldo Honolulu joint venture. HRI, another member of the joint venture, is responsible for the construction of the entire vehicle. The JV has a contract with HART (Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation) worth more than 1.3 billion dollars. Maurizio Manfellotto, CEO of Hitachi Rail Italy, said: "Just as with the Frecciarossa 1000, and the Copenhagen and Milan undergrounds we are continuing to deliver our products in compliance with the delivery deadlines agreed with the client. This new success is a further step in our global growth. A growth that is based on quality and reliability, with the utmost respect for our customers' needs." (AGI)