CFR Călători, the state-owned railway company for passengers, announced that the first train entirely made up of rolling stock modernized with funds from the EU-backed Recovery and Resilience Fund (PNRR) was introduced on the Bucharest North – Constanța route, according to Romania Insider.
The train, which is already running, consists of a locomotive delivered by the Softronic factory in Craiova and four carriages, of which two are first class, one made in Bucharest and another in Cluj-Napoca, and two are second class carriages.
These units of rolling stock modernized with PNRR funds will form the composition of four trains (2 outbound/2 return).
The first PNRR train, IR 1687, departs from Bucharest North at 11:30, arriving in Constanța at 13:47. The return, IR 1688, departs from Constanța at 15:25, arriving in Bucharest North at 17:49.
From April 17, 2025, an additional pair of PNRR trains is scheduled to operate on the Bucharest North – Constanța and return route.
The 4 PNRR-funded trains will run daily on this route, including during the Holy Easter Holidays and the May 1st mini-holiday, according to a press release. The first-class carriages have a seating capacity of 52, and are capable of running at speeds of up to 160 km/h. The second-class carriages seat 64 people.
Subsequently, depending on the delivery of modernized rolling stock through the PNRR by the contracted companies, as well as the provisions of the Public Service Contract concluded by CFR Călători with the Railway Reform Authority, these types of completed locomotives and carriages will be predominantly assigned to IC train compositions, without excluding their operation on IR trains and other routes such as: Brașov, Arad, Cluj, Iași, Galați, Timișoara, etc.
In December 2023, CFR Călători signed a financing contract under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan to modernize 55 electric locomotives intended for towing passenger trains, the conversion of 20 hydraulic diesel shunting locomotives into electric battery-powered locomotives, and modernization of 139 passenger carriages. The project is worth RON 2 billion or EUR 417 million.
The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) is Romania’s strategic framework for accessing funds from the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility. This initiative aims to support member states in addressing the economic and social challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, while fostering sustainable development and modernisation.
Romania’s PNRR focuses on six key pillars: green transition, digital transformation, smart and inclusive growth, social and territorial cohesion, health and economic resilience, and policies for the next generation. The plan includes over 100 investments and more than 60 reforms, targeting areas such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, and renewable energy.
With a budget of approximately €29 billion, the PNRR is designed to drive economic recovery, reduce disparities, and enhance the country’s competitiveness. It also aligns with the EU’s broader goals of achieving climate neutrality and digital advancement.
The implementation of the PNRR is overseen by the Ministry of Investments and European Projects, ensuring transparency and accountability. This ambitious plan represents a significant opportunity for Romania to accelerate its development and improve the quality of life for its citizens.
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