The electrification of the Moldovan Railway (CFM), which will allow trains to travel at speeds of up to 140 km/h, is scheduled for 2030.
At the same time, construction of the first European-gauge railway line on the Ungheni–Chișinău segment will begin in 2027, following the completion of the feasibility study this year, announced Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development.
The ambitious project promises trains that will travel at speeds between 140 and 160 km/h, connecting the Republic of Moldova to the European Union (EU) rail network. The transition to electric traction is an economic necessity, and the high implementation costs mean that the realistic timeline for completing the entire CFM electrification process is estimated to be within the next five years.
“We are in discussions with the EU. Approximately EUR 340–350 million is a very large sum of money. For this reason, I believe the 2030s are the most likely timeframe,” said Vladimir Bolea.
The First Demonstration Project for Cost Reduction
The Deputy Prime Minister added that the new Ungheni–Iași line, built to European standards, will become the first section to demonstrate energy efficiency and reduced transportation costs through electrification.
“The Republic of Moldova is receiving support from the European Union to build the first section of a European-standard railway in full compliance with all regulations and, most importantly, electrified. If we look at transportation from an economic perspective—road versus rail—rail is obviously much more economical. But if we compare diesel-powered rail with electric rail, the cost difference is incomparable. And for this reason, we are receiving support from the European Union and will build the first section connecting the city of Iași with the city of Ungheni via an electrified and, I repeat, European-standard line,” Deputy Prime Minister Bolea stated on public television.
New line built from scratch
At the same time, the construction of the high-speed line from Ungheni to Chișinău Airport, built “from scratch”, is another priority project for the authorities.
“In 2027, we will have the final feasibility study and will move to design and construction next year. And we will continue from Ungheni to Chișinău, in front of the airport—note this—a new line, built from scratch, European-standard, meaning narrow-gauge, and, most importantly, electrified, with a maximum speed of 160 km/h along the entire section,” Vladimir Bolea emphasized.
By modernizing the Iași-Bucharest links and European connections, the Republic of Moldova will become an integral part of continental transport flows.
“We will build this new line together with Romania, specifically Iași, which is also receiving support from the European Union and is significantly modernizing its railways both toward Bucharest and toward other European capitals. In other words, over the next four to five years, a genuine European narrow-gauge line will emerge in the Republic of Moldova, connecting Chișinău to other European capitals,” concluded Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea.
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