RADIO ROMANIA NEWS - Romania has billions of euros at its disposal from European funds for the modernization of railway lines and the purchase of new trains, much-needed investments for rail transport, which have been neglected for the past 30 years. After a 20-year hiatus in which no new trains were purchased, the Ministry of Transport is now running three tenders for the purchase of 94 electric and hydrogen trainsets.

Alexandru Lancuzov tells us more: "Romania receives billions of euros through the NRRP for the modernization of 300 kilometers of railway and the purchase of new rolling stock necessary to make the train an efficient alternative to road transport. 75 - 80% of train journeys are commuting not very long distances. For this reason, the main tender is for 62 regional electric frames, dedicated especially to those who use the train to get to work, explained Stefan Roseanu, president of the Railway Reform Authority, for Radio Romania News.

Stefan Roseanu: "It's the modern shuttle in which you want to find transport at almost any time, which will take you to the city, where you have your office, to school, in the evening to the cinema, the theater and return home including at late hours. The train must have the function to serve the people who live in the region of the respective city, so they are able to build their lives without depending on a motor vehicle."

Travelers want decent conditions in the train: heat - winter, coolness - summer, cleanliness and, of course, a train running without delays.

Traveler: I want it to be decent, to go fast, to arrive on time.
Reporter: Why do you go to the airport by train, and not, for example, by tram, bus, or by taxi?
Traveler: Traffic reasons, simple.
Reporter: The first new long-distance trains that the Railway Reform Authority was able to buy last spring would be delivered this fall.

Translated by: Radu Matei