The Autoritatea pentru Reformă Feroviară (ARF) is progressing in its rail modernization efforts with the procurement of new trains from Alstom and PESA.
Alstom's latest Coradia train for Romania recently commenced testing at the VUZ Velim test center in the Czech Republic. This train numbered 001, follows the previously tested unit 002 at the Făurei center. Gabriel Stanciu, General Director of Alstom Transport Romania, clarified in his Facebook comment that this testing is part of a complex program involving multiple test units across various locations, including Germany, to expedite the authorization process for these trains. The testing at Velim encompasses comprehensive assessments beyond just ETCS trials, ensuring compliance with EU legislation for type and marketing approvals.
In a separate development, on December 19, 2023, a contract for the acquisition of 20 long-distance electric multiple units (RE-IR2) was signed between ARF and Polish company POJAZDY SZYNOWE PESA BYDGOSZCZ SPOLKA AKCYJNA (PESA). The signing, held at the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, was attended by key officials from both Romania and Poland, including ARF President Ștefan-Adrian Roșeanu and PESA executives. The contract includes a 15-year maintenance agreement, with the possibility of expanding the order to 29 units and extending maintenance to 30 years.
The total value of the project is approximately 224 million EUR, funded through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. The first of these new trains, featuring a three-car configuration with 191 seats, ERTMS level 1 and 2 signalling, and passenger comfort amenities like air conditioning and Wi-Fi, is scheduled for delivery 24 months after the contract signing.
These new electric units will operate on various routes across Romania, including Cluj Napoca-Sighișoara-Brașov and Galați-Constanța. They will contribute to reduced travel times, improved service quality, and increased efficiency in passenger rail transport. Additionally, ARF President Ștefan Roșeanu highlighted the importance of these acquisitions in advancing Romania's public rail transport and reaffirmed ARF's commitment to sourcing additional funding for further investments in this sustainable and safe mode of transportation.
