Romania presents private metro line project to Chinese investors

Romanian capital Bucharest could have a private metro network, should the state find investors for such a project. Anca Boagiu, the Romanian Transport Minister, currently on an official visit to China, will present the project to Chinese investors. The metro line should connect Bragadiru and Voluntari, crossing Bucharest from West to East and should have 25 kilometers and 30 stations. Metrorex, the metro network operator in Bucharest, will give the right to operate the new line to a private partner, for 30 years. Works could start in 2013 and last up to eight years. The value of investment was estimated at around EUR 2 billion, which should be covered by the private investor in the public-private partnership. This would be the 7th metro line in Bucharest. 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. A card with two trips now costs about RON 4, from RON 3, while a card with 10 trips is RON 10, compared to RON 9. A monthly travel subscription costs RON 35 from RON 27. Subscription prices for unlimited travel remained unchanged, so that a weekly pass costs RON 15, one day subscription is RON 6, and a monthly one is RON 50. The operator 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. editor@romania-insider.com