A significant change in rail infrastructure

The first inter-regional electric train in the set of 37 purchased by Romania from Alstom has left the factory in Katowice, Poland, and is on its way to Curtici station. This marks a significant milestone for Romanian railway infrastructure, being the first new electric train purchased in 20 years and the first of its kind in 40 years.

The Railway Reform Authority (ARF) team and supervisor Egis Rail have signed the acceptance of the ARF RE-IR1 train set and the train is scheduled to arrive in Curtici on 2 December 2023. After customs clearance procedures and authorisation to run temporarily, the train will depart for Bucharest on 4 December, Digi24 reports.

Tests will start in Bucharest and Făurei from 6 December, covering 10,000 kilometres on the public network. The 37 inter-regional electric trainsets (RE-IR1) produced by Alstom will connect Bucharest with the country's main urban centres, contributing to increased mobility and improved public transport services by rail.

The total value of the contract for the 37 electric units and associated maintenance services amounts to 2,421,771,878 lei, excluding VAT, financed by European funds and the state budget.