ARF's first Coradia Stream in commercial service

On 20 November 2024, Alstom and the Romanian Railway Reform Authority (ARF) presented with a special journey between Bucharest and Brasov the first Coradia Stream regional EMU delivered in Romania for commercial service, ER-IR101 002, following a testing phase of 10,000 km. This is the first one of a fleet of 37 units ordered by ARF.

On 15 November 2024, the Class RE-IR1 has been fully homologated and certified for operation in Romania in accordance with the legislation in force, by the Romanian Railway Authority AFER and Railway Safety Authority ASFR. The operator is CFR Calatori and the train circulates on the Bucharest - Brasov route, with stops in Ploiesti and the major mountain resorts.

Each 160 km/h six-car EMU accommodates 351 seats and offers a 100% low-floor design, and this fleet represents the arrival of the first new EMUs in Romania in last 30 years. All 37 Coradias will be delivered until the beginning of 2026. The contract between ARF and Alstom also includes the maintenance services for 15 years, with the option for 15 additional years.

Alstom has initiated a 50 million EUR investment in a new depot located in the central area of Bucharest to cater to the maintenance needs of this fleet. The initial phase of the investment – a depot equipped for testing and maintenance operations – was completed in April 2024. The 30,000 m² project will continue with a second phase, to establish a modern and fully equipped maintenance site.