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 |
