Speaking at the Railway Days 2025 conference in Bucharest, Mihai Barbu, president of the Autoritatea pentru Reformă Feroviară (Romanian Railway Reform Authority – ARF), presented the latest progress on Romania’s nationwide rail modernisation programme — an unprecedented investment drive aimed at improving passenger services, sustainability and fleet efficiency across the country.
ARF, the body under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure responsible for implementing passenger rail policy, has now committed more than EUR 1.6 billion in projects funded through the Transport Programme 2021–2027 (PT), the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and the Modernisation Fund (FM).
New electric trains entering service from 2026
According to the presentation, ARF has signed contracts for the delivery of 62 regional electric multiple units (EMUs) from PESA Bydgoszcz and 37 long-distance EMUs from Alstom, both including 15-year maintenance agreements.
The first PESA regional units are expected to enter service in January 2026, followed by monthly deliveries from Alstom’s Bautzen plant later the same year.
In addition, a separate contract for 29 interregional EMUs was signed under the PNRR framework, extending the network’s reach and improving service quality on high-demand routes.
These acquisitions, totalling more than EUR 1.1 billion, will significantly enhance reliability, comfort and punctuality for passengers across the national rail system.
Hydrogen and electric locomotives to complement fleet
Beyond electric units, ARF is also pioneering the introduction of 12 hydrogen-powered multiple units, a first for Romania, under a contract valued at up to RON 2.46 billion.
The trains will be supplied by Siemens Mobility and are intended for operation on non-electrified routes, aligning with EU decarbonisation targets.
Meanwhile, 39 new electric locomotives are being procured through two major contracts with Alstom Transport, capable of hauling up to 16 passenger coaches at speeds of 160 km/h.
The first locomotive is currently undergoing testing, with the initial unit expected to enter service in March 2026.
Service modernisation and digitalisation
The ARF’s investment portfolio also includes projects for national ticketing integration, public service contract audits, and cadenced train timetables around major cities — designed to make services more predictable and attractive for daily commuters.
“These are projects that will fundamentally reshape Romania’s passenger rail system,” said ARF president Mihai Barbu. “Our mission is to deliver cleaner, safer, and more reliable train services, with new rolling stock that meets European standards and passenger expectations.”
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