At a bustling stop in L’Aquila, commuters watched as a new double‑deck bus pulled into the terminal, part of a fleet upgrade announced by the regional transport authority Tua.
Funding and procurement
Tua said it will invest €5 million to modernise the L’Aquila‑Rome service. The budget will fund the acquisition of 12 new buses within the next 18 months.
Vehicle mix
The renewal programme includes a mix of vehicles. Tua plans to introduce double‑deck buses, new models from Spanish manufacturer Irizar and a number of electric buses. The electric units are intended to reduce emissions on the intercity route.
Officials indicated the new buses will replace older units nearing the end of their service life. The rollout aims to improve reliability and passenger comfort on the corridor that links the Abruzzo capital with Rome.
Transport unions welcomed the investment, noting the potential for better service and job security for drivers. Tua said the procurement process will follow EU tender rules and that delivery schedules are being coordinated with manufacturers.
Implementation will be monitored over the coming months, with the first vehicles expected to enter service before the end of the year, paving the way for a fully modernised fleet by mid‑2027.