The planned metro line which should connect downtown Romanian capital Bucharest and its airport Otopeni could not become reality in 2018, when it was initially scheduled, judging by what the current Transport Minister Relu Fenechiu has recently proposed. The minister says the investment is too big, and the existing traffic does not back up such a large investment, so he proposes a cheaper connection, above the ground instead.

The metro line connecting the North Railway station – Gara de Nord – and the Otopeni airport had a EUR 1.2 billion price tag. 'I personally think this is a huge investment, I don't think we'll ever have that many passengers on this line to make it efficient. The maximum level of passengers will always be the maximum number of passengers on the airport. Compare this to the number of passengers on any metro leg in Bucharest, which is about 100 times bigger,” the Minister explained his rationale.

His alternative, a project above the ground, should be ten times cheaper, and would involve using the existing railway connection which gets close to the Otopeni airport. However, the minister added this is only his idea and it has not been discussed with the Prime Minister, so it is yet to decide whether his version is feasible or not.

Romania already signed a EUR 66.6 million consultancy contract in 2011 with two Japanese companies, Padeco and Oriental Consultants, French Systra and Romanian Metroul SA România for the metro line 6, which should connect the airport to the rest of the city.

The country is currently working on a new metro line, number 5, connecting the neighborhood Drumul Taberei to the rest of the city. Work is ongoing on the segment Râul Doamnei-Eroilor of this line, a EUR 215 million contract won by Astaldi. Opening was initially scheduled for 2014, and the line should have 9 stations, and 6.2 kilometers. The metro station and the metro depot at Valea Ialomitei are being built by Max Boegl România-Max Boegl Germania.

editor@romania-insider.com