Infrastructure: Railway infrastructure development strategy for the 2026-2030 period, approved by Government

    The Government approved, via a decision, the railway infrastructure development strategy for the 2026-2030 period?a document serving as the basis for signing the activity and performance contract of the National Railway Company "CFR" S.A. for the next five years.According to a statement from the Executive, concluding this contract is necessary to ensure salary payments."The strategic document establishes halting the technical decline of the railway network and rapidly addressing the historical backlog in railway repairs and modernization as absolute priorities. The Government Decision approving the Railway Infrastructure Development Strategy for the 2026-2030 period follows the document approved for 2021-2025?a period marked by a challenging economic and social climate that resulted in only partial project implementation. The document outlines the current state of the railway network, a direct consequence of 35 years of chronic underfunding. Between 2021 and 2025, financial allocations covered less than half (45.76%) of the railway infrastructure's actual needs; the shortfall for maintenance and routine repairs alone exceeded 12 billion lei," the statement reads.The cited source highlights that the effects of this lack of funds have translated into speed restrictions and accelerated deterioration of the network."In 1990, only 10.10% (1,364 km) of railway lines were overdue for renewal. By 2010, this figure had risen to 41.14% (5,596 km). In 2025, the length of technically 'exhausted' lines reached 72.56% (9,753 km), having doubled in just 15 years. These issues directly influenced the choices made by Romanians and companies alike: the rail transport market saw declines (of over 2% for passengers and nearly 23% for freight), despite a prior target of 25% growth," according to the statement.For the next five years, the Government is committing to a clear plan to revitalize the railway system, based on three major strategic objectives with prioritized funding: Objective 0: Rapidly catching up on the backlog of railway infrastructure renewals; Objective A: Increasing the competitiveness of rail transport on the domestic market?faster, safer, and more reliable trains; Objective B: Integration into the Single European Railway Area?meeting the obligations Romania has undertaken towards the European Union."The strategy covers all critical areas?from basic maintenance and operations to renewal and expansion?encompassing both direct investments and a series of administrative reforms needed to streamline the sector. (...) The primary outcome of implementing the new strategy will be a rebalancing of transport modes. By shifting significant passenger and freight flows from road to rail, the road network will see substantial decongestion. This will translate into higher average travel speeds on existing roads, fewer road accidents, reduced traffic bottlenecks, and lower transport costs for the national economy," the statement highlights.The document is aligned with Romania's General Transport Master Plan (MPGT) and includes all priority projects for the 2026-2030 period regarding the modernization of European railway corridors (TEN-T), implemented in partnership with the European Commission.At the end of the statement, the Government specifies that the Strategy approved by the Government does not introduce new public policies and does not alter public policy directions that have already been approved."The document updates and extends, for the 2026-2030 period, the measures and projects established in existing strategic documents, including the Railway Infrastructure Development Strategy 2021-2025 and the Investment Program for Transport Infrastructure Development 2021-2030. The Strategy serves as an indicative planning tool, the periodic adoption of which is mandated by both national and European Union law. Furthermore, Romania is required to notify the European Commission regarding the document's adoption. Following its approval via Government Decision, the Railway Infrastructure Development Strategy for 2026-2030 will be published by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure and submitted to the European Commission," the statement adds.