it crosses more empty fields than urban agglomerations

The starting point of the Bucharest-Ilfov Metropolitan Train project will be the route: Gara Obor – Gara de Nord, according to the General Mayor of the Capital Nicuşor Dan, the decision was taken in light of the fact that the existing CFR infrastructure is seen as an opportunity.

“Probably, the moment when we will have all modernized lines will be somewhere in 2026-2027. In this interval, however, on the segments that can be operated on, we intend – there is an opportunity in the northern area, where the network is good – and we want to have the lines on the North Station functional in a year from now – Obor Station, West Station – North Station and West Station – Obor Station; the first and third passing through Pipera”, declared the General Mayor of the Capital Nicuşor Dan.

<img data-attachment-id="434155" data-permalink="https://economedia.ro/drula-promite-semnarea-contractului-cu-alstom-pentru-20-de-trenuri-noi-cu-optiunea-de-suplimentare-pana-la-37-de-rame-ultimele-trenuri-noi-la-cfr-calatori-au-fost-cumparate-in-urma-cu-15-ani.html#.YUr9HLgzbIU/harta-tren-metropolitan" data-orig-file="https://cdn.g4media.ro/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Harta-tren-Metropolitan-e1649777814477.jpg" data-orig-size="788,567" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Hartă tren Metropolitan" data-image-description="

SOURCE: TPBI

” data-image-caption=”” data-medium-file=”https://cdn.g4media.ro/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Harta-tren-Metropolitan-e1649777814477-300×216.jpg” data-large-file=”https://cdn.g4media.ro/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Harta-tren-Metropolitan-762×1024.jpg” loading=”lazy” class=”aligncenter wp-image-434155″ alt=”” width=”640″ height=”461″ srcset=”https://cdn.g4media.ro/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Harta-tren-Metropolitan-e1649777814477-300×216.jpg 300w, https://cdn.g4media.ro/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Harta-tren-Metropolitan-e1649777814477-768×553.jpg 768w, https://cdn.g4media.ro/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Harta-tren-Metropolitan-e1649777814477.jpg 788w” data-lazy-sizes=”(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px” src=”https://cdn.g4media.ro/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Harta-tren-Metropolitan-e1649777814477-300×216.jpg”/><img data-attachment-id="434155" data-permalink="https://economedia.ro/drula-promite-semnarea-contractului-cu-alstom-pentru-20-de-trenuri-noi-cu-optiunea-de-suplimentare-pana-la-37-de-rame-ultimele-trenuri-noi-la-cfr-calatori-au-fost-cumparate-in-urma-cu-15-ani.html#.YUr9HLgzbIU/harta-tren-metropolitan" data-orig-file="https://cdn.g4media.ro/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Harta-tren-Metropolitan-e1649777814477.jpg" data-orig-size="788,567" data-comments-opened="1" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="Hartă tren Metropolitan" data-image-description="

SOURCE: TPBI

” data-image-caption=”” data-medium-file=”https://cdn.g4media.ro/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Harta-tren-Metropolitan-e1649777814477-300×216.jpg” data-large-file=”https://cdn.g4media.ro/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Harta-tren-Metropolitan-762×1024.jpg” loading=”lazy” class=”aligncenter wp-image-434155″ src=”https://cdn.g4media.ro/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Harta-tren-Metropolitan-e1649777814477-300×216.jpg” alt=”” width=”640″ height=”461″ srcset=”https://cdn.g4media.ro/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Harta-tren-Metropolitan-e1649777814477-300×216.jpg 300w, https://cdn.g4media.ro/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Harta-tren-Metropolitan-e1649777814477-768×553.jpg 768w, https://cdn.g4media.ro/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Harta-tren-Metropolitan-e1649777814477.jpg 788w” sizes=”(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px”/>

In the first phase, there will be four routes, over a distance of almost 100 km, as the representatives of the Intercommunity Development Association for Public Transport Bucharest-Ilfov (TPBI) announced since May.

In short, within the project, new stopping points and uneven road crossings will be built, some railway level crossings will be modernized, works will take place to modernize existing track devices and introduce new ones.

According to clubferoviar.ro, which synthesized the project, this line contains:

• 8 stations with a length of lines from stations of 106.591 km;
• 5 movement halts with a length of lines from these halts of 31.541 km;
• Double lines totaling 105.374 km;
• Single lines, totaling 53.134 km;
• Electrified lines, in total 99,523 km;
• Non-electrified lines, with a length of 58,985 km. (See here all the details)

Because the project was criticized by many of the specialists in urban mobility precisely because the Metropolitan Train would cross the North of Bucharest (Gara Obor-Gara de Nord) more in the countryside than through populated/congested areas, we wanted to see with our own eyes how are things.

Starting point – Obor Station, direction – Nord Station.

Apart from a few blocks and houses that can be seen in the distance, from the platform, Obor Station seems isolated and deserted. Heading towards the North Station, we have to reach the Andronache area. For that, the train has to take it in the opposite direction, towards Pantelimon and make a detour of several km through very sparsely populated areas.

Andronache is the next stop. There are predominantly houses here. We continue our way. The railway crosses several empty fields (Petricani, Pipera) to reach the Aviation area. In order to reach the destination (Gara de Nord), the train has to cross several other vast vacant lots and areas with houses (Pajura area). A route that seems to intentionally bypass populated areas or important urban agglomerations.

In other words, the Gara Obor – Gara de Nord route traveled by rail is at least 5-6 times longer than the one traveled by car.

The Intercommunity Development Association for Public Transport Bucharest-Ilfov (TPBI) estimates that on this route there will be a demand for only 5,900 trips per day.

As for costs, the Bucharest-Ilfov Metropolitan Train will cost 962 million euros. Of these, 614 million euros represent the purchase of new trains, and the rest would be used to modernize stations, build new stops and modernize some railway level crossings. The first phase of the investment plan will cost 116 million euros.

According to TPBI “the transport service on the Metropolitan Train will initially be provided at intervals of 30-60 minutes. Afterwards, this service will be adjusted according to the demand and the existing transport capacity”.

The funding sources are: European funds, funds from the local budgets of the member municipalities (including Bucharest City Hall) and the County Council.