EU backed tram-train for Oradea, Romania

On 15 April the EU pledged EUR 280.6M in funding to Bihor County Council to establish a tram-train system in the area around the city of Oradea, Romania (population 183 000) that lies just 10km from the Hungarian border on the river Crisul Repede. Bihor County will contribute EUR 10.7M. This will be Romania’s first tram-train project, allowing vehicles to run on both existing tram tracks and suburban railway lines to improve connectivity between the city and surrounding areas. The future network will span 33.4km, with 27 stations and more than 24km of existing railway lines to be rehabilitated and electrified to provide links to Baile Felix, Bors Industrial Park, Cheresig, Cordau and Oradea International Airport. A tender has been issued for the supply of 14 100km/h tram-train vehicles, expected to cost EUR 6.4M each. 

 

Mircea Malan, President of Bihor City Council, said, ‘The Tram-Train project is important for Oradeanand for localities around the city, because it offers people a simpler, faster and more civilised way to get around. For those who come to work, school or the hospital in Ordea, for those who go to the airport or the resorts of Baile Felix and 1 Mai, this project will reduce the time spent in traffic’. 

 

Oradea has operated trams since 1882 and has a 20km three-line network. The first low-floor trams (Siemens ULF) were introduced in 2008. Since then 30 Astra Imperio trams have been delivered.