Cluj-Napoca, a city in Western Romania, could need to build a subway line in the next 15 years because of an expanding population and metropolitan area, Emil Boc, the city’s mayor, said, quoted by Monitorulcluj.ro.

In order to ensure a good traffic in Cluj-Napoca, a subway line of three to four stops would be needed between the Floresti and Apahida areas of the city, the mayor explained. Boc said the City Hall decided to start a pre-feasibility study to learn more about the costs of such a project and potential financing sources.

“We will not be able to avoid this discussion [e.n. about the subway]. That some people criticize it, that some agree, that’s a different matter. The Cluj of the 500,000 inhabitants is close. With Floresti, the metropolitan area, everyone going in and out of Cluj, we are 500,000 [e.n people]. Cluj will not be able to avoid this discussion of having at least one subway line in ten years,” the mayor said.

He also explained that a city of 400,000 inhabitants doesn’t need a subway line. However, many cities surpassing the 500,000 inhabitants mark and heading towards one million support their urban mobility with the help of a subway line.

The pre-feasibility study will indicate whether the subway is needed, the mayor argued. He also explained the budget of the city would not be able to cover such a project and a loan would need to be contracted.

“Many say these are futuristic plans, that this is nonsense, just stories. This discussion cannot be avoided in the future. Cluj is heading towards that direction. We will not do it, someone else will. It will have to be done at some point. Today we do not have the financial resources to start this but we will undertake the pre-feasibility, feasibility and design studies. Afterwards we will enter the phase of preparing the financing plan covering 25, even 30 years,” the mayor said.

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