Arenaways is an Italian railway brand associated with the development of private passenger rail services in Italy. Owned by Longitude Holding S.r.l., a company based in Turin, Arenaways represents a renewed effort to expand passenger rail options beyond established operators and strengthen regional connectivity.
The brand first entered Italy’s passenger railway market in 2010 and resumed commercial operations under Longitude Holding in January 2025. Its return reflects renewed investment in regional rail services and the wider development of competition in Italy’s passenger transport sector.
History of Arenaways
Arenaways originated in 2010 under the leadership of Italian railway entrepreneur Giuseppe Arena. It became known as an early private operator seeking to establish an alternative to the traditional passenger rail market in Italy.
The original Arenaways operation faced significant challenges, including difficulties associated with access to railway infrastructure and competition in the rail sector. Although the original business ceased operating passenger services, the brand continued to be associated with the development of private rail transport in Italy.
A new chapter began with Longitude Holding, founded in Turin in 2021. The company acquired the Arenaways brand and developed the operational and regulatory foundations needed to restart services. In September 2024, it obtained the single safety certificate required to provide passenger transport services across Italy. Commercial operations restarted on 27 January 2025.
Ownership and Strategic Partnerships
Arenaways operates as a commercial brand of Longitude Holding S.r.l. The company expanded its shareholder base in November 2024 with the entry of Renfe Proyectos Internacionales and Serena Industrial Partners.
Renfe, Spain’s state-owned railway operator, acquired a 33% stake in Longitude Holding through its international projects subsidiary. Serena Industrial Partners also joined the ownership structure, bringing investment expertise and an interest in developing railway infrastructure and passenger services.
These partnerships combine railway operating experience with investment resources. They also support Longitude Holding’s ambition to develop regional public-service routes and explore additional passenger rail opportunities in Italy.
Regional Passenger Rail Services
Arenaways restarted passenger operations with the Cuneo–Saluzzo–Savigliano route in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. The service began on 27 January 2025 under a ten-year contract with the Agenzia della Mobilità Piemontese, the regional mobility agency.
The route restored passenger rail connections along a line that had been inactive for years. Its reopening provides another transport option for communities in the area and improves access to regional destinations.
Regional rail services can support daily travel for work, education, healthcare, and other essential activities. By restoring connections between towns, railway operators can also contribute to regional mobility and reduce dependence on private cars for some journeys.
Long-Distance Rail Ambitions
In addition to its regional activities, Longitude Holding has authorisations to operate passenger services on longer-distance routes in Italy. This creates opportunities for Arenaways to explore services beyond its initial regional network.
Long-distance rail operations require careful planning involving train availability, infrastructure access, operating schedules, commercial demand, and passenger services. Expansion also depends on regulatory requirements and the practical conditions of individual routes.
Arenaways’ longer-term ambitions therefore form part of a broader effort to establish additional passenger rail connections and develop its presence in Italy’s evolving railway market. Authorisation to operate on a route does not necessarily mean that a scheduled passenger service has already begun.
Safety and Regulatory Compliance
Railway safety certification is an essential requirement for passenger train operators. Before providing services, a company must demonstrate that it meets applicable organisational and operational safety standards.
Longitude Holding obtained a single safety certificate from the European Union Agency for Railways in September 2024. The company also holds the relevant Italian railway undertaking licence for passenger and freight services.
These authorisations provide the regulatory foundation for Arenaways’ operations. Ongoing compliance with railway safety requirements remains important as the company develops its services and considers potential expansion.
Arenaways and Sustainable Transport
Rail transport can contribute to more sustainable mobility by moving multiple passengers in a single journey. Compared with individual car travel, passenger trains can reduce energy consumption and emissions per passenger under suitable operating conditions.
Regional rail services can also improve access to public transport for communities that have limited alternatives. Restoring unused railway connections may help make existing infrastructure more useful and support the integration of rail into regional transport networks.
Arenaways’ focus on regional and longer-distance passenger services aligns with the wider role of railways in developing connected and accessible transport systems. The environmental benefits of individual services depend on factors such as passenger numbers, energy sources, and operational efficiency.
The Future of Arenaways
Arenaways’ renewed operations place it within a changing Italian passenger rail market. Its future development will depend on the performance of existing routes, the availability of railway infrastructure, passenger demand, and the company’s ability to establish commercially and operationally sustainable services.
The involvement of Renfe and Serena Industrial Partners provides a combination of railway-sector experience and investment backing. Further expansion could create additional opportunities for regional connectivity and alternative passenger services, subject to project development and regulatory approval.
Conclusion
Arenaways is an Italian private railway brand owned by Longitude Holding S.r.l. With roots dating back to 2010, it returned to commercial passenger operations in January 2025, beginning with the Cuneo–Saluzzo–Savigliano route in Piedmont.
Its ownership structure includes investment from Spain’s Renfe and Serena Industrial Partners, supporting its renewed presence in the Italian railway sector. Through regional services and ambitions for further passenger connections, Arenaways forms part of the continuing development of private rail transport in Italy.