Romanian Transp Min Proposes Closing 1474 Km Of Public Railroad

A draft Government decisions, drawn up by the ministry, says certain railroad segments are to be closed and sold, relieving the state budget and the national railway company’s budget of the burden of investment and repairs.

The savings could be directed to the development and modernization of the segments which see the most passenger and cargo traffic, says the draft’s explanatory note.

An appendix lists the segments that are to be closed down.

In the letter of intent agreed upon with the International Monetary Fund, the Romanian Government has pledged to close 20% of the country’s railroad network, about 4,000 kilometers of railway lines, unless it finds investors to ensure their maintenance.

According to the most recent data, Romania’s railroad network is 20,210 km long, including 17,691 km in public management and 2,519 km in private management.