Italy has launched a high-speed train service between the northern cities of Milan and Bologna.
Expansion to Rome is planned next year.
State rail said on Saturday the train will cut travel time between the two cities to 65 minutes. Other trains take about twice as long on average to cover the distance of 210km.
Regular high-speed service from Milan to Bologna will start on Sunday. Italy has three other fast train routes.
Travel time between Milan and Rome will be 3.5 hours non-stop when the service is extended to the capital.
