Romanian state-owned passenger railway company CFR Calatori will raise railway transport tariffs by 8 percent from September 20 and it will maintain discounts for commuters, school pupils and university students, the company has said. The increase in railway transport tariffs was initially planned for September 15, but it was put off for a later date. The company last increase tarriffs by 8.1 percent three years ago. Romanian state-run subway company Metrorex also raised tariffs by 8 percent from September 18.

The price hikes are part of a promise the Romanian Government has made to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) concerning the ten largest loss- making state companies, which include CFR Calatori, freight carrier CFR Marfa, electricity producer Termoelectrica and Metrorex.

The Romanian Railways Company (CFR) will have to axe between 7,100 and 8,300 people by 2011, which would lead to savings of around EUR 187 million next year, according to Transport Ministry’s restructuring strategy for CFR. The restructuring was announced before the recent Government reshuffle, which changed the head of the Transport Ministry. The ministry is now lead by Anca Boagiu, who has replaced Radu Berceanu.

Mediafax