VOA标准英语2012--Italy's New 'Bullet Train' Aims to Shake Up Euro Travel

Italy's New 'Bullet Train' Aims to Shake Up Euro Travel

The new bullet-shaped "Italo" trains can travel at a top speed of 360 kilometers per hour. They are run by NTV, a company headed by Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo, which invested $1.3 billion.

He says the real achievement was having brought about liberalization in Italian rail transportation.

"At last, Italian citizens and foreign travelers will be able to choose, and one of the longest monopolies in our country has come to an end," said Montezemolo.

Montezemolo says passengers would benefit from the competition. He adds that the aim is to take a quarter of the market from the state rail network Trenitalia, the biggest employer in the country, by 2014.

Transport experts say despite the difficult economic times, the new train could be a positive development. 

"We are still the second manufacturing system in Europe after Germany and I think what is happening in the railway system is an example of the strength of the industrial system," noted¹ Professor Matteo Caroli at LUISS university in Rome. "We have basically financial problems, like other European countries, but the competitiveness of our companies is strong."

The project is one example of the new ambitions for Italy's economy, the eurozone's third largest, under Prime Minister Mario Monti. Monti has been working to shake up a sluggish² economy heavily influenced by protectionist traditions.

NTV's fleet will consist of 25 trains that are being supplied by French multinational³ Alstom.

"This train is the fourth generation of train for Alstom. So, it's really at the top, and there is no other technology in the world like this one," said Alstom Managing Director Pierre-Louis Bertina.

The trains boast sleek⁴ interiors with leather seats, large panoramic⁵ windows and a cinema car. There will be three different classes of travel allowing passengers to choose what best suits their needs and how much they want to spend. NTV's Giuseppe Bonollo says the quality of the service is the real distinguishing point.

"High technology inside, Wi-Fi connectivity to Internet, free for all travelers and on top of that - this really is a world premiere - the possibility through the laptop to access to satellite direct TV connection," Bonollo explained.

At Rome's Termini station, many travelers were looking forward to the launch of the new high-speed train.

Italo is adopting an aggressive pricing policy, with discounted fares for advance reservations. In the meantime, the state-owned rail network has already lowered its ticket prices and improved its service.

Other European nations will be watching carefully to see whether it is in their interest to follow the Italian example. 

1 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

2 sluggish   

adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的

参考例句：

• This humid heat makes you feel rather sluggish.这种湿热的天气使人感到懒洋洋的。
• Circulation is much more sluggish in the feet than in the hands.脚部的循环比手部的循环缓慢得多。

3 multinational   

adj.多国的，多种国籍的；n.多国籍公司，跨国公司

参考例句：

• The firm was taken over by a multinational consulting firm.这家公司被一个跨国咨询公司收购。
• He analyzed the relationship between multinational corporations and under-developed countries.他分析了跨国公司和不发达国家之间的关系。

4 sleek   

adj.光滑的，井然有序的；v.使光滑，梳拢

参考例句：

• Women preferred sleek,shiny hair with little decoration.女士们更喜欢略加修饰的光滑闪亮型秀发。
• The horse's coat was sleek and glossy.这匹马全身润泽有光。

5 panoramic   

adj. 全景的

参考例句：

• Most rooms enjoy panoramic views of the sea. 大多数房间都能看到海的全景。
• In a panoramic survey of nature, speed is interesting because it has a ceiling. 概观自然全景，速率是有趣的，因为它有一个上限。