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2 CFR Development 3 Mobile Services 4 External Link |
CFR operates seven types of trains, both on Romania's territory, with rolling stock and locomotives, or internationally, with rolling stock. Also, CFR operates international trains on Romanian territory with its own locomotives.
The train types of CFR are:
Personal and Cursa trains are the cheapest trains run by CFR. They are usually run on local routes and stop at every stop. There is no supplement paid for these trains, and usually no reservations. Cursa trains occur on very few routes, and, anyway, they are just the same as Personal in terms of comfort and status. Personal trains are generally known for being extremely slow, and, if not crowded, usually display a very rustic feel. Rolling stock used in Personal trains is usually old and spartan. Recently, however, many trains that were formerly of Accelerat status have been downgraded to Personal, but this does not necessarily mean a downgraded quality. Therefore, there are now two unofficial "classes" of Personal trains: those that travel short distances in rural areas, which are uncomfortable and slow, and those that travel on medium distances, stopping at nearly every stop, which are more comfortable.
Accelerat trains are long-distance trains that stop only in towns or cities. They are not particularly comfortable, even though they are not much more expensive than Personal trains. Out of all the train types, Accelerat tend to travel the longest - there are routes that cross the county from Oradea to Galati (a huge distance) or from Timisoara to Iasi, stopping at many stations en route. Due to this, Accelerat trains are very popular, because, even though they are seldom used for express travel between two large cities, they are used for cross-regional travel between smaller cities.
Rapid trains are the most common way that Romanians use to travel in a fast and comfortable manner between main cities. Rapid trains do not travel very long distances - they usually travel only on main lines, between key Romanian cities. They stop at most towns and all cities on the way. Especially recently, Rapid trains have become comfortable, especially in first class. The majority of Rapid trains have been refurbished to form very nice-looking and comfortable experiences in travel. Rapid trains are of the standard of long distance European trains.
InterCity is Romania's premier train status. It is the most expensive, but also by far the quickest and most comfortable. There are two main types of CFR InterCity: standard and Desiro. Desiro InterCity trains are run by modern DMUs between main Romanian cities and stop only in sizeable cities (see CFR Development section for more information). Standard InterCity trains are made up of very comfortable and modern trains that run on routes similar to Rapid trains. Before early 2003, there was also a train type known as InterCityExpress (ICE), but these have been discontinued and transformed into IC, while maintaining the former ICE comfort. All IC trains are air-conditioned, and most provide complimentary newspapers and meals in first class. In terms of comfort, IC trains are of the standard of Western European modern trains.
EuroCity and EuroNight are usually not run by CFR only, since they are all international trains. Not all international trains that come to or via Romania are EC or EN - most are usually run as Rapid trains on the territory of Romania. However, the night train from Belgrade to Bucharest is run as a EuroNight train, and there is both a EuroCity and EN train from Budapest to Bucharest via Arad. EuroCity trains are usually always comfortable and modern, even though not perhaps as comfortable as the InterCity, but more similar to Rapid trains. EuroNight trains are very safe night trains of a Western European standard.
In 2003, CFR put into operation modern trainsets from Siemens of Germany, with aims to span all main cities with a modern IC network. The trainsets (Siemens Desiro) have been built in Germany, with some also being built in Arad, Romania. They are used on intercity-type trains (IC) in the following services:
In 2003, Connex GSM Romania, the country's largest mobile phone operator, struck a deal with CFR to provide quick mobile services to the CFR timetable and booking system. Currently, a 24-hour hotline operates where customers of Connex can call a certain three-digit number (652) and get real-time information on train routes, timetables, station platform depatures, delays, prices and ticketing information and booking of trains from Bucuresti North station.Train Types
Personal and Cursa
Accelerat
Rapid
InterCity
EuroCity and EuroNight
CFR Development
Overall, Bucharest, Piteşti, Ploieşti, Slatina, Craiova, Tārgu Jiu, Alba Iulia, Sighişoara, Braşov, Suceava, Iaşi, Tārgoviste, Brăila, Galaţi, Giurgiu, Timişoara, Tulcea, Medgidia, Arad, Oradea, Satu Mare and Cluj Napoca are serviced, as well as a few other smaller cities.Mobile Services