Moldova’s rail network is operated by Calea Ferată din Moldova (CFM), featuring broad gauge infrastructure inherited from the Soviet era, with modernization efforts ongoing through European support.
Network Overview
| Parameter |
Statistics |
Notes |
| Total Track Length |
1,232 km |
Active network |
| Main Lines |
1,100 km |
Primary routes |
| Branch Lines |
132 km |
Secondary/industrial |
| Track Gauge |
1,520 mm |
Broad gauge |
| Electrified Lines |
0 km |
Diesel operation |
| International Connections |
2 |
Romania, Ukraine |
Major Lines
Main Routes
| Route |
Length (km) |
Status |
Usage |
| Chișinău-Ungheni |
110 |
Active |
Main west line |
| Chișinău-Bender |
73 |
Limited |
Eastern route |
| Bălți-Ocnița |
168 |
Active |
Northern line |
| Chișinău-Giurgiulești |
228 |
Active |
Port access |
Technical Parameters
Track & Civil Infrastructure
| Parameter |
Specification |
Standard/Reference |
Notes |
| Track Gauge |
1,520 mm |
GOST Standard |
Broad gauge |
| Rail Profile |
R65/R50 |
GOST |
Mixed types |
| Maximum Speed |
100 km/h |
Operational |
Passenger |
| Axle Load |
22.5 tonnes |
Design load |
Freight |
| Signaling |
Semi-automatic |
Various |
Modernization needed |
Rolling Stock
Locomotives
| Type |
Quantity |
Age (years) |
Status |
Usage |
| 2TE10M |
25 |
30-40 |
Active |
Main freight |
| ChME3 |
40 |
35-45 |
Mixed |
Shunting |
| M62 |
15 |
35+ |
Limited |
Mixed traffic |
Passenger Cars
| Type |
Quantity |
Capacity |
Status |
Service |
| Long Distance |
85 |
54 seats |
Mixed |
International |
| Regional |
60 |
81 seats |
Active |
Domestic |
| Suburban |
40 |
110 seats |
Limited |
Local |
Freight Wagons
| Type |
Quantity |
Capacity (tons) |
Status |
| Covered |
2,500 |
68 |
Mixed |
| Platform |
1,800 |
72 |
Active |
| Tank |
800 |
60 |
Active |
| Other |
1,200 |
Various |
Mixed |
Operations
Passenger Services
| Route |
Daily Services |
Journey Time |
Annual Passengers |
| Chișinău-Ungheni |
4 |
2h 30m |
250,000 |
| Chișinău-Ocnița |
2 |
4h |
180,000 |
| International |
Various |
Various |
120,000 |
Freight Traffic
| Type |
Annual Volume (M tonnes) |
Direction |
Trend |
| Transit |
3.5 |
Various |
Stable |
| Import |
2.8 |
Inbound |
Growing |
| Export |
2.2 |
Outbound |
Growing |
| Domestic |
1.5 |
Internal |
Stable |
Infrastructure Development
Current Projects (2025-2026)
| Project |
Budget (€M) |
Status |
Completion |
| Track Rehabilitation |
85 |
Ongoing |
2026 |
| Signaling Upgrade |
45 |
Active |
2026 |
| Station Modernization |
30 |
Planning |
2026 |
Future Plans (2026-2030)
| Project |
Estimated Cost (€M) |
Status |
Notes |
| Network Modernization |
250 |
Planning |
EU support |
| Rolling Stock Renewal |
150 |
Proposed |
Fleet upgrade |
| Gauge Conversion Study |
20 |
Concept |
European integration |
Environmental Initiatives
Sustainability Goals
| Initiative |
Target |
Timeline |
Status |
| CO2 Reduction |
-25% |
2030 |
Planning |
| Energy Efficiency |
+30% |
2028 |
Active |
| Noise Reduction |
-20% |
2027 |
Proposed |
Cross-Border Operations
International Connections
| Border |
Services |
Status |
Notes |
| Romania |
Limited |
Active |
Gauge change |
| Ukraine |
Regular |
Variable |
Political factors |
Economic Impact
Employment
| Sector |
Direct Jobs |
Indirect Jobs |
| Operations |
5,500 |
16,500 |
| Maintenance |
2,800 |
8,400 |
| Administration |
1,200 |
3,600 |
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