The leases were awarded through a public auction in the Romanian Commodities Exchange, CFR announced.
GFR took over lines belonging to the Galati branch: Faurei – Tecuci, Marasesti – Panciu, Buzau – Berca, Comanesti – Moinesti.
The Grampet group comprises 14 companies, of which GFR is the most important and the largest private railway freight transport company in Romania. The group operates in six markets in Southeastern Europe and provides transport, logistics, repair and IT services to the railway field.
RC-CF Trans (Brasov) was awarded a number of lines administered by CFR’s Timisoara branch: Simeria – Pestis, Simeria – Hunedoara, Jebel – Liebling, Timisoara Est – Radna, Carpinis – Ionel, Lupeni – Lupeni Tehnic – Livezeni. The company is controlled by Costel Comana and Iorgu Ganea, each with equal shares.
Via Terra Spedition (Cluj-Napoca), owned by Iulian Gaga, will take over lines managed by the Cluj branch: Oradea Vest – Cheresig, Campia Turzii – Turda, Baia Mare – Baia Mare Nord.
The lease contract is for four years. The selection criteria used were the highest rent and the shortest period before takeover. The winning companies are required to take on CFR’s existing staff for the lines in question, says a CFR press release.
Leasing non-profitable railway sections to private operators is one of the Government’s commitments as part of the railway system’s optimization program.