Romanian Railway Company CFR Ranks 11th Among European Railways

CFR, Romania’s national railway operator, has recently been highlighted in a ranking conducted by the NGO Transport & Environment. The ranking evaluated 27 railway companies across Europe based on various performance criteria.

In this assessment, CFR secured the 11th position overall, achieving a commendable punctuality rate of over 80%. This marks a significant improvement for the company, which has faced challenges maintaining schedules in previous years.

Ranking Overview

The ranking placed Trenitalia at the top with a score of 7.7, followed by Switzerland’s SBB and the Czech operator RegioJet.

Eurostar, which connects London and Paris, found itself at the bottom of the list due to high prices and below-average reliability.CFR’s position reflects its ongoing efforts to enhance service quality and operational efficiency. The company has recently introduced new rolling stock, including modern trains like the Alstom Coradia Stream, to improve passenger comfort and experience.

Challenges and Improvements

Despite these advancements, CFR continues to face challenges. The company reported a decline in passenger numbers in early 2024, with approximately 17.4 million travellers in the first quarter—a decrease of 3.6% compared to the previous year. This drop highlights the ongoing competition from road transport, which dominates with a 77.8% share of total passenger transport in Romania.CFR is also grappling with an ageing infrastructure that requires significant investment for modernization. While recent upgrades have improved some routes, concerns remain regarding financial sustainability and the ability to maintain and expand services effectively.

Looking ahead, CFR is expected to continue its modernization efforts while addressing the need for increased passenger engagement and satisfaction. The company aims to leverage its improved punctuality and service quality to attract more travellers to rail transport.

As Romania’s railway landscape evolves, CFR’s performance will be closely monitored as it strives to enhance its standing among European railway operators while meeting the demands of an increasingly competitive transportation market.