New electric locomotive enhances Bucharest-Constanta route

The first new electric locomotive has officially entered service on the Bucharest-Constanta route, marking a significant step in modernizing Romania's rail transport. Operated by CFR Călători, this milestone represents the transition from procurement and testing to actual use of cutting-edge rolling stock.

This initiative is part of a larger project involving the acquisition of 16 state-of-the-art electric locomotives, equipped with the latest ERTMS system, under a contract with Alstom. These multisystem locomotives can reach speeds of up to 160 km/h and are capable of hauling passenger trains with up to 16 carriages.

The total eligible value of the project stands at 441.77 million lei, funded entirely through the Modernization Fund starting in 2026. This investment is included in the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, focusing on sustainable transport, which aims to enhance the energy efficiency of rail transport.

The introduction of these new locomotives is projected to reduce energy consumption for traction by approximately 25%, alongside an estimated 25.27% decrease in greenhouse gas emissions. This will lead to an annual energy saving of about 27,521 MWh.

The 16 new electric locomotives will serve a network of approximately 3,978 km, including five major interregional routes: Dej-Braşov-Bucureşti-Constanţa, Timişoara-Arad-Braşov-Bucureşti-Constanţa, Timişoara-Cluj-Napoca-Iaşi, Iaşi-Bucureşti-Constanţa, and Suceava-Bucureşti-Constanţa.

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure (MTI) is committed to enhancing energy-efficient rail transport and facilitating the transition to sustainable transportation modes. In addition to the first locomotive, Alstom is set to deliver five Traxx Passenger locomotives in September, further bolstering CFR Călători's capabilities.

Recently, a reception test for the Traxx Passenger electric locomotive was successfully conducted at Alstom's factory in Kassel, Germany, ensuring the assembly process of the final unit, LE016, met all standards. This comprehensive effort underscores the commitment to a modern, efficient, and environmentally friendly rail network in Romania.