Rail services on the key route between Bucharest and Giurgiu have been suspended once again, as a major new phase of infrastructure modernisation gets underway. From March 16, all trains operated by CFR Călători on the direct line have been withdrawn to allow construction work to begin.
The closure marks the start of the second stage of a long-term upgrade project, which includes electrification, double-tracking and the installation of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). The works form part of a wider European investment programme aimed at improving international rail corridors, particularly links towards Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey via the Danube crossing.
The contract for this phase—valued at over 2.1 billion lei—was awarded to a consortium including Alstom and Romanian firm Arcada, with completion expected over the coming years.
In the meantime, passengers face significant disruption. Rail replacement buses have been introduced between Bucharest Progresu and Giurgiu, but early reports indicate delays of up to an hour, alongside concerns over ticket pricing and journey times. In some cases, travelling via the diversionary rail route through Videle remains a comparable—or even cheaper—alternative.
The line itself has a turbulent recent history. Direct services only resumed in June 2024 following a 19-year closure caused by the collapse of a bridge at Grădiștea. Now, less than two years later, communities along the route once again find themselves reliant on road transport.
Despite the inconvenience, the modernisation promises a faster, more reliable railway in the long term.
