[REVISION HISTORY]

Romanian railway operational and structural reform

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2026-09-18 03:53 UTC → 2026-09-18 11:42 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Romania’s railway system faces a deepening crisis driven by severe technical deterioration and financial instability. The National Railway Federation Movement Commercial Wagons has warned that services may face suspension due to a two-month blockage in state funding, which has left infrastructure administrator CFR SA and various operators unable to cover energy, maintenance, and usage fees. Long-term funding shortages have caused the network to degrade significantly; the proportion of railway lines exceeding their technical lifespan rose from 10.10% in 1990 to 72.56% by 2025. Between 2021 and 2025, available funding met only 45.76% of requirements, resulting in a maintenance gap exceeding RON 12 billion. In response, the government has approved the 2026–2030 Railway Infrastructure Development Plan, prioritizing maintenance, renewal, and modernization within European TEN-T corridors. Modernization efforts are advancing through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). CFR Călători has completed investment contracts to modernize 139 passenger carriages and 75 locomotives. Large-scale infrastructure works are also underway, with Arcada Company managing projects valued at over 12.7 billion lei. Recent progress on the Brașov – Sighișoara section, part of the Rhine–Danube Corridor, shows physical completion has reached 61%. This rehabilitation includes upgrading bridges, viaducts, and tunnels, alongside installing electronic centralization and the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) to support speeds of up to 160 km/h. Additionally, rail traffic has resumed between Tușnad Sat and Sânsimion following bridge repairs on the Brașov–Războieni line, which will increase local speed limits from 30 km/h to 100 km/h. In Constanța, CFR has initiated market consultations to obtain fire safety authorization for the regional railway station building.

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