Romanian state-owned company CFR Calatori, the country’s biggest rail passenger carrier, wants invest almost EUR 3 million in modernizing 69 train cars and equipping them with air conditioning, said Iosif Szentes, CFR Calatori general manager. However, the funds are not yet available, he added.

Over 85% of the Interregio trains have AC, but only 25% of the Regio trains have AC. The Interregio trains cover longer distance rides, are faster, and stop in fewer stations, whereas the Regio trains travel slower and are mostly used on shorter distances.

“The biggest challenge in the next years is to modernize the train carriages that don’t have AC,” said Szentes. Modernizing a carriage requires between EUR 44,000 and EUR 177,000, based on its type.

CFR Calatori transported close to 55 million passengers in 2015, 2% fewer compared to 2014, according to the company’s annual activity report.

The company had EUR 430 million revenues in 2015, 5.5% lower compared to 2014, and a net profit of EUR 7 million, less than half compared to the previous year, according to official data from the Finance Ministry.

Romania’s railway company launches summer trains to Greece

Romania's railway passenger carrier ups salaries by 10%

editor@romania-insider.com