Romania’s railway operator CFR Calatori will carry around 50 million passengers this year, close to the level recorded in 2012 but almost 70 percent less compared to 1998, when the company was established.

In 1998, the company carried over 146 million passengers.

“In 2012, the number of passengers carried by the company was 48.6 million. For this year, we estimate that the number of passengers will keep steady, depending on the evolution of the main macroeconomic indicators,” reads a statement of the company, quoted by local news agency Mediafax.

Between 2007 and 2009, the number of passengers carried out by CFR Calatori decreased from 85.7 million to 65.5 million, reaching 57.6 million in 2010 and furthering going down to over 53 million in 2011.

In September-December 2013, the company’s estimations show a 3 percent increase in revenues compared to the same period last year, while for next year, the company expects a 2 percent increase compared to 2012.

CFR Calatori increased the price of train tickets this September by up to 10 percent for some fares.

The change was mainly triggered by the evolving inflation rate and CFR Calatori’s rising fuel and energy costs.

For Regio trains, which travel on shorter distance routes, the increase was of up to 50 Romanian bani, while in the case of InterRegio trains the price went up by 10 percent.

This measure, which was approved by the Ministry of Transport, was applied starting September 1, 2013.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com