​The Railway Reform Authority has explained why Romania wants to buy locomotives and electric trains that can reach 200 km/h, even though the CFR network has a maximum speed of 160 km/h. The clarifications came after the Pro Infrastructure Association strongly criticized these purchases, saying that they should not let these trains go anywhere.

Where are the fastest sections for Romanian trains? The fastest segment is Bucharest Băneasa – Medgidia, where the fastest trains reach 160 km/h. Some segments allow 140 km/h: Čitila – Brazi and Buda – Florest-Prahova, Sighisoara – Blaž, areas on the Alba Iulia – Cimmeria sector and areas on the border with Hungary (next to Kurtići and Arad).

• The history of Romanian train speeds from 1906 to the present day and the amazing trains that ran for hundreds of kilometers without stopping

In July, the first dynamic tests were conducted at a speed of 160 km/h on the Sighisoara – Koslariu section. The plot is part of the IV corridor, which has been under construction for many years. Sighisoara and Koslariu are 100 km away, and the train IR 346 Bucharest – Vienna takes 70 minutes.

What the Railway Reform Authority says in a nutshell. Why do we buy trains that develop 200 km/h

• There are plans to modernize railway lines for a speed of 160 km/h and reach 200 km/h. But here it must be said that at the pace at which new works are being carried out, even in 10 years we will not have a section suitable for 200 km/t for passenger trains.

• Market consultations have shown that products with similar characteristics that meet Romania’s mobility needs are approved for a maximum speed of 200 km/h.

• In order not to limit the access to the procedure of some potential suppliers, ARF introduced the requirement and criterion for evaluating the maximum speeds of future trains located within 160-200 km/h.

ARF position, wide

Regarding the information released by the Pro Infrastructure Association – in the media – regarding the procurement of intercity electric frames that can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h, the Authority for Railway Reforms (ARF) provides the following clarifications:

• 1. The Railway Reform Authority (ARF) is a state institution established in 2016 for the implementation of state policy in the field of railway passenger transport, including in the field of rolling stock modernization in Romania, i.e. since 2017 at the expense of internal resources and technical assistance provided by BEIBASSA experts, prepared investments from European and national funds in new rolling stock (railway vehicles).

• 2. In addition, ARF was appointed – within the framework of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan – as the entity responsible for the procurement of 20 electric long-distance frames, 16 electric locomotives and 12 electric cars running on hydrogen fuel cells.

• 3. The state policy of the Romanian state regarding investments in the components of the railway infrastructure, implemented through the CNCF “CFR’SA”, is aimed at the modernization of railway lines for speeds of 160 km/h and the improvement of traffic conditions on sections that support 200 km/h (HG 985 /2020, HG 1302/2021, HG 1312/2021).

• 4. Investments for the modernization of the railway infrastructure include in the subject of the project the introduction of ETCS level 2, which allows to control trains even at a speed of 200 km/h.

• 5. According to the market consultations carried out by ARF, to launch the procedure for the procurement of long-distance electric frames, it was indicated that products with similar characteristics that meet Romania’s mobility needs are allowed for a maximum speed of 200 km/h. .

• In order not to limit the access to the procedure of some potential suppliers, ARF introduced the requirement and criterion for evaluating the maximum speeds of future trains located within 160-200 km/h. Therefore, depending on the overall score (based on the quality-cost criterion), bidders will be able to win the tender with products that meet these upper speed limits, without benefiting trains that have a speed of 160 km/h or, conversely, at those with higher technical characteristics.

• 6. All electric frames are ordered on board with ETCS level 2 equipment. The service life of the purchased vehicles is at least 30 years. During the period of train movement, the train schedule will be compiled taking into account the ratio of the design speed of the railway infrastructure and the maximum speed of railway vehicles. So, for trains with a maximum speed of 200 km/h, the travel time between cities located on railway lines will be reduced, as this will be allowed by the projects to increase the speed on certain sections up to 200 km/h, based on the state policy specified in the above-mentioned normative acts.

• 7. Purchases made by ARF also serve as a benchmark for investments made by rail passenger transport operators (including private ones), so that vehicles brought in through private investment contribute to improving the quality of services and reducing costs with public subsidization.