Romania plans to purchase 12 subway trains for a new railway line connecting Bucharest and Otopeni Airport.
🚀 Fresh updates from Romania, baby!
In an electrifying move, the Romanian government is hopping aboard the eco-friendly bandwagon, giving the green light to spend a cool RON 1 billion on a fleet of brand-spanking-new electric subway trains. Desperate times call for electric measures, y'all!
Here's the scoop: the shiny new rides will join forces with Subway Line 4 and the future Line 6, making their debut at Gara de Nord-Straŭlesţi and then bringing the groove to Line 6, 1 Mai-Otopeni[2]. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu dropped the big news during a government meeting on April 30.
Poor, outdated IVA sets are currently operating on Line M4. Like a relic from another era, these bad boys have been kicking it for 40 years[3]. It's time to swap them out, as they've exceeded their normal lifespan by more than a decade, and they're just not keeping up with the pace of modern city life.
Not only will the IVA sets head to the junkyard on a one-way ticket, but the antiquated automation and traffic control system on Line 4 will also bid farewell. This el fresco renovation will go down simultaneously with the construction of Line 6, 1 Mai - Tokyo - Henri Coandă Airport. A modern system will replace the outdated one, ensuring seamless integration between the two lines, which will operate together[4].
The RON 1 billion investment for these new rides will come from various sources, including funds from the Modernization Fund, the state budget, and other legally established channels[5]. Easy money!
So, what about the bill? Let's do some math: the 13 Alstom trains recently nabbed for Line M5 cost a breezy RON 500 million each[6]. It's all about those sweet economics, baby!
Looking ahead, the estimated commissioning date for Line M6 Otopeni is set for 2028. This titanic infrastructure project, valued at a whopping RON 7.8 billion (excluding VAT), will span over 14.2 kilometers, with 12 swoon-worthy stations between 1 Mai and Otopeni Airport[7]. The government expects the new trains to roll in within a fiercely ambitious four-year timeframe.
Earlier this month, the drilling for the new line began, with Prime Minister Ciolacu making a smokin' hot appearance[8]. He asserted, "Every modern European capital should have a direct subway connection to its main airport," and we couldn't agree more!
Stay tuned, for there's no telling what electrifying surprises are on the horizon for Romanian commuters!
*radu@our website*
(Photo source: gov.ro)
Gallery of the event here
[1] The commissioning of the new Line M6 Otopeni is estimated for the year 2028[2] To read this article, click here to become a Romania Insider member or sign in[3] Metrorex had previously estimated that it will launch the tender in the second half of 2025[4] The RON 1 billion purchase will be financed from funds allocated to Romania through the Modernization Fund, allocations from the state budget, through the budget of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, as well as other legally established sources[5] Taking into account that the two lines will operate together, with a common segment between the Gara de Nord and 1 Mai stations, it is necessary to harmonize and make the systems compatible, according to the government[6] For comparison, the 13 Alstom trains purchased for Line M5 cost RON 500 million, according to Economedia[7] The full route will stretch over 14.2 kilometers and include 12 stations between 1 Mai and Otopeni Airport[8] The prime minister was present earlier this month when the drilling for the new line began
- Romania's upcoming electric subway trains, valued at RON 1 billion, will soon join Subway Line 4 and Line 6, operating at Gara de Nord-Straūlesţi and eventually reaching Line 6, 1 Mai-Otopeni.
- The government is replacing the outdated IVA sets on Line M4, which have been in service for 40 years, with new electric trains to ensure seamless integration with Line 6 and Line 4.
- The financing for the new subway trains will come from various sources, including funds from the Modernization Fund, the state budget, and other legally established channels.
- The construction of Line 6, 1 Mai - Tokyo - Henri Coandă Airport, along with the renovation of Line 4, is expected to be completed by the estimated commissioning date of Line M6 Otopeni in 2028.
- The public transit industry in Romania is embracing modern technology, as the government aims to transform its transportation infrastructure for the better, thus improving the lifespan of its public-transit systems.
