This is an ambitious project, in light of the fact that the Romanian state has only succeeded in adding 9 kilometers of subway rail lines in the past 20 years.
“According to the development strategy, to extend to 2027-2030, this will mean a network of 150 kilometers of double rails, compared to the 70 km we have now,” said Gheorghe Udrişte, General Manager of Metrorex, for Business Standard.
“In 2008-2009, investments for the subway amount to some €150 million annually,” added Udrişte, and a simple calculation shows that the state will have to guarantee an annual €300 million. Metrorex’s General Manager believes that the only solution for unblocking transportation above ground lies in the development of the subway. “Once the network will cover a major portion of Bucharest, it is expected that the number of users of this method of transportation will increase by up to 300 percent. As such, the subway is designed to transport some 50,000-70,000 riders one way every hour,” added the source. At present, Bucharest’s subway transports some 600,000 persons daily, generating a minimum of €94 million. The plans include the addition of three new subway lines, two of which are to be completed in 7 years, costing some €1.7 bln.
Another stage in the Metrorex development strategy includes the shortening of distances between stations to 500-600 meters, compared to the present 1,500-1,700 meters. The subway company also intends to acquire 26 new trains in the coming two years, an investment estimated to be worth some €150 mln. “A government ordinance exists already to allow us to pay an advance of up to 30 percent on this amount, with a single train costing about €6 million,” explained Udrişte.
