Moldova railway system reorganization and expansion

Moldova is undergoing a major restructuring of its state railway enterprise, Calea Ferată din Moldova (CFM). The reorganization aims to separate infrastructure management from passenger and freight transport operations by December 31, 2026. Under this plan, a new joint-stock company, ‘CFM Infra’, will be established to manage railway infrastructure, assuming the rights, obligations, and debts of the original enterprise.

To ensure the reorganization meets the deadlines of the Republic of Moldova’s 2025-2027 Growth Plan, authorities have proposed a special law. This legislation includes derogations to bypass lengthy standard procedures, such as full asset valuations and fiscal audits, which officials warned could delay the process until 2027 and cost the state budget tens of millions of lei. While authorities maintain that infrastructure will remain under state control and is not a privatization attempt, some political figures have expressed concerns that the move is a precursor to privatization.

Operational challenges persist during this transition. Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Vladimir Bolea stated that CFM currently has only 12 functional locomotives, which are modern units manufactured in Kazakhstan and acquired via an EU-supported loan. Additionally, the Minister addressed the management of scrap metal, suggesting a shift from the current auction system to a more transparent stock exchange model. He also clarified that 20 old locomotives intended for scrap have not yet been transferred to Ukraine.

Parallel to these structural reforms, infrastructure developments are showing economic impact. The reopening of the Prut 2 railway point in the Cantemir-Fălciu area reportedly generated over 20 million lei in additional revenue during the summer of 2026.