The lease contracts were awarded through a public tender run in the Romanian Commodity Exchange, CFR announced. The private rail operator will take over the sections Carbunesti – Albeni, Amaradia – Barsesti, Babeni – Berbesti – Alunu, Argeselu – Campulung – Golesti, Valcele – Curtea de Arges, Rosiori – Turnu Magurele Port and Golenti – Poiana Mare.
RC-CF Trans is also obliged to take on the CFR staff employed by these sections. The company is based in Brasov and controlled by Costel Comana and Iorgu Ganea.
Four sections, managed by the Bucharest, Timisoara, Brasov and Iasi branches, did not attract leasees and a new tender will be held by CFR SA.
Romania’s Government decided last year to lease 1,000 km of public railroad and close another 1,000 km, in an effort to save 109 million lei (EUR25 million) from the railway company budgets, as per a previous agreement with the International Monetary Fund.
The Government has promised the International Monetary Fund to close 20% of the country’s railroad network, about 4,000 kilometers of railway lines, unless it finds investors to ensure their maintenance. (EUR1=RON4.3672)