Metrorex, the metro network operator in Bucharest, has signed a EUR 8.6 million (RON 36.3 million) contract for design and consultancy of the new metro Line 7, that will connect Bragadiru and Voluntari and which will be built through a public-private partnership. The companies that will do the design, assistance and consultancy for this project are PricewaterhouseCoopers Management Consultants, PricewaterhouseCoopers Audit, Metroul SA and Salans Moore and Associates SCA. Metroul SA has previosuly won bids for various segments of the Bucharest metro and is owned by a group of Romanian individuals.

The new metro line will have a length of about 25 kilometers and 30 stations. The Romanian Ministry of Transport estimates that the project will be completed in a period of 7-8 years after beginning the work.

Bragadiru-Voluntari line was among the projects presented by the Romanian Transport Minister Anca Boagiu during a working visit to China, which took place last week. The value of investment was estimated at around EUR 2 billion, which should be covered by the private investor in the public-private partnership.

The Bucharest metro system carried 43 million passengers in the first quarter of the year, according to data from the Transport Ministry. Metrorex has recently increased ticket and subscription prices, and has also recently installed 35 metro card vending machines across its network. The devices accept payments made with VISA and MasterCard cards, as well as in cash with RON 1, 5, 10, and RON 50 banknotes, but also with coins of 10 and 50 bani, without giving change.

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

(photo source: Metrorex)