Over 157 thousand people travelled by train as of the beginning of this year
The Moldovan Railway (CFM) is facing a significant decrease in the number of passengers who travel by train. In the first three months of the year, over 157 thousand people chose this means of transport. The figure is down by almost 13 percent compared to the same period last year, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
According to statistical data, the rail transport of goods also decreased significantly, between January and March. According to the NBS, in the first three months of the year, freight trains from the Republic of Moldova carried 24.7% less goods, compared to the same period of 2023. Their journey was also reduced, by 44.5 percent.
We remind that the situation at the "Calea Ferată a Moldovei" Enterprise - which has been facing financial problems lately - began to worsen after in August 2022, when the transit from Ukraine decreased, with the reopening of the Odesa port. The company's estimated losses amounted to almost 150 million lei in 2023.
Previously, the former director of the company Oleg Tofilat, who resigned from his position at the end of January, this year, declared that 95% of the CFM wagons have a term of operation until 2025 and that after this date they will no longer be admissible in international transport.
We remind you that, this April, the Government increased the share capital of CFM on account of loans from EBRD and EIB. Thus, over 728 thousand lei (35 thousand euros) were allocated by the Ministry of Finance to increase the share capital of the State Enterprise.
CFM is the largest state enterprise, with 6 thousand employees. Currently, it is managed by Serghei Tomșa.
