ITALY: Ferrovie Appulo Lucane reopened the modernised Matera Centrale station on January 19, ready for the city being a 2019 European capital of culture.

This is the first phase of a €16·5m project to upgrade and partly double-track the Venusio – Matera Sud section of the 950 mm gauge line linking Bari and Matera. Work began last July and is scheduled to be completed in May.

The new station building was designed by architect Stefano Boeri. There is also a 300-space car park, and an improved interchange with bus services.

The project is being financed by the Basilicata region, with €7m coming from EU sources.