After being granted European Union candidate status in 2022, Moldova is working to boost its economy and strengthen transport connections with Member States, especially Romania. A key part of this vision is the modernisation of the railway, particularly the main line linking Moldova to Romania, Hungary and other parts of Europe.
The railway between Ungheni and Chișinău is a single track and uses diesel trains. It’s in dire need of renovation, with passenger trains taking over three hours to cover a distance of about 110 kilometres. EIB Advisory experts, through the JASPERS initiative and supported by consultants under the Eastern Partnership Investment in Connectivity programme, are conducting a feasibility study for a project that would modernise and electrify this railway. This work is part of a broader plan to extend the European-gauge railway into Ukraine and Moldova. European gauge refers to a standard that uses a distance of 1 435 millimetres between the two rails.
The Eastern Partnership Investment in Connectivity programme, or EPIC, focuses on six countries in the Eastern neighbourhood of the European Union: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine. The aim is to improve connections between these countries and the European Union. This work will help economic growth and regional stability, and it will bring closer integration with European markets.
EIB Advisory experts and consultants are assessing the current railway’s tracks, switches, road crossings and bridges. They are also analysing the train stations’ layouts, equipment and functionalities to improve services to passengers and neighbouring communities. The feasibility study is also investigating transport demand and will propose options for the renovation and electrification process.
The support from EPIC will improve the quality of the project and reduce its construction cost, making it better value for investors. The project will make train travel safer and will combat climate change.