Those who travel abroad from Romania may have a new reason for doing it by train, as state-owned railway passenger carrier CFR Calatori plans to introduce special wagons that would carry the passengers’ cars. Tourists would thus have the possibility of taking their cars with them in their holidays without the hassle of driving long distances.

CFR Calatori general manager Iosif Szentes said in an interview for local Agerpres that this could be done by attaching special wagons to the international trains. A first test could be done in June this year, for the train from Bucharest to Thessaloniki, Greece.

The manager believes that this new service would bring more clients to CFR Calatori. According to him, the service could be expanded to other international trains traveling to Budapest or Vienna.

“Even if the time to reach the destination is longer by train, at least the trip is done in conditions of comfort, and the passengers aren’t exposed to certain dangers during the journey. So, this is in our attention and I hope that we’ll be able to finalize it, one way or another,” Iosif Szentes said.

CFR Calatori already has two wagons that could be used for this project, but it could also acquire some new ones. The pilot-test could start on June 1, when the summer season begins, but the special wagons would have to go through some repairs first, the general manager added.

In the future, CFR Calatori could also add special wagons to the international trains where people can leave their bikes or skis, Iosif Szentes also said. Moreover, introducing free Wi-Fi internet in all passengers trains and modernizing some of the wagons and locomotives are also among CFR Calatori’s objectives.

CFR Calatori registered a profit of RON 32.8 million (EUR 7.3 million) in 2016, and carried more than 52 million passengers, according to Iosif Szentes.

Romania’s state-owned railway carrier introduces special wagon for bikers and skiers

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: Wikimedia Commons)