Romanian Transport Minister To Decide Train Ticket Price - Draft

The minister's power to change the prices charged by railway passenger carrier CFR Calatori and Bucharest subway operator Metrorex is stipulated in a draft emergency ordinance drawn up by the Transport Ministry.

CFR Calatori's debts to suppliers and infrastructure administrator CFR SA have increased year after year, amounting to around 550 million lei (EUR1=RON4.1685) at the end of 2010. Over the last three years, state subsidies covered 64% of the company's needs.

A train ticket cost, on average, RON12.95 last year, but the average real cost to the company was around RON40.9, considering operation expenses over the number of transported passengers.

The state covered 75-80% of Metrorex's requested funds, over the past four years. A number of projects had to be delayed, because of the lack of resources, which increased wear and decreased the system's performance, says the draft's explanatory note.

The number of subway passengers grew by around 60% in the last five years, up to about 600,000 people per day.

Metrorex's maintenance expenses totaled RON185.57 million last year, including repairs in the amount of RON123.67 million.

If you liked this story, please follow MEDIAFAX.RO on FACEBOOK »

The content of mediafax.ro is for your information only. Republishing or using this content is forbidden without express consent of MEDIAFAX. For this consent, please ask for it by mail at vanzari@mediafax.ro.