Europe’s Newest Commuter Hub? Cluj Unveils Ambitious Metropolitan Rail Vision

Forget endless traffic and packed buses — Cluj-Napoca’s EUR 250 million rail project is laying down something better. With modern trains, new stations, and EU backing, the city is betting big on regional rail.

Romania’s second-largest city, Cluj-Napoca, has formally launched a EUR 250 million metropolitan train project, aiming to enhance public transport and interconnectivity across its expanding urban and suburban zones. The project, developed in partnership with Romania’s national railway company CFR, complements the construction of the city’s first metro line and will help address traffic congestion and boost economic growth in the region.

As reported by Romania Insider, local officials approved the final partnership agreement between Cluj-Napoca and CFR in early May, a crucial step required by the Ministry of Transport for unlocking European funding through the 2021–2027 EU Transport Programme. Mayor Emil Boc confirmed that the tenders for construction will be launched between May and June 2025.

Romania's government has approved the procurement of 12 metro trains worth up to Lei 1bn ($US 200.9m). //t.co/hqlLqaJzJr

— IRJ (@railjournal) May 9, 2025

From Planning to Procurement

According to Actualdecluj.ro, the tender for the main contract has already been posted on SEAP, Romania’s public acquisitions platform, and includes a suspensive clause pending financing approval. Mayor Boc explained that further documentation might still be required by May 12, but once finalised, interested parties will have 60 days to submit bids. "In June, we will also prepare the tender for purchasing the carriages," he added.

"This agreement defines each party’s contribution to the project. Cluj will co-finance around EUR 22 million together with other city halls," said Boc. Additional non-eligible costs, such as parking infrastructure at new station sites, amounting to RON 17 million (approx. EUR 3.4 million), will be covered by Cluj-Napoca’s local budget. The Cluj County Council is contributing RON 46 million to cover similar expenses for partner municipalities, while CFR will invest RON 285 million (approx. EUR 57 million) to modernise 25.3 km of existing railway lines.

Connecting a Growing Metropolis

The proposed 48.8 km-long rail corridor will connect Gilău – Cluj-Napoca – Apahida – Jucu – Bonțida, spanning five municipalities. A total of 23 stations will be built, including eight new ones, with supporting infrastructure such as eight car parks, five overpasses, and seven fully electric trains, each capable of accommodating 420 passengers.

The service frequency will be every 30 minutes between 6:00 and 19:00, and every hour thereafter until 22:00. According to Systra, the metropolitan line will interlink with Cluj’s new metro network at the IRA Bridge, forming an integrated public transport system designed to support urban expansion, housing, and economic hubs.

Integration with the Metro: One Vision, Two Projects

The launch of the metropolitan train coincides with ongoing construction of Cluj-Napoca’s EUR 2 billion Metro Line 1, the largest infrastructure project in the city’s history and Romania’s second metro after Bucharest. The line is scheduled to become operational by 2031, using 26 driverless, three-car trains with a total daily capacity of 164,000 passengers, as reported by Railway PRO.

The 20–21 km metro route will run west to east, from Florești through downtown Cluj to Mărăști Square and the Muncii industrial zone, before branching to the Gheorgheni and Sopor districts. "Without a metro network, you can’t solve traffic problems in a large and developed city like Cluj," said Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu during the ceremony in June 2024.

Cluj’s metropolitan rail will enhance intermodality, enabling smooth transfers between regional and urban networks while connecting residential, commercial, and institutional nodes, including the future regional hospital and business zones.

Funding, Timelines, and Long-Term Impact

The Cluj metropolitan train is funded under Priority Axis 6 of the EU Transport Programme, focused on urban nodes and climate-resilient infrastructure. The project’s full implementation is expected to take four years, with initial procurement processes wrapped up in the first year.

Eligible funding totals approximately RON 893.5 million (about EUR 180 million), while Cluj-Napoca's share includes ERUR 22 million in co-financing and an additional RON 17 million for non-eligible expenditures. The multiyear budget model ensures financial sustainability, spreading investment across multiple local, regional, and European sources.

Local media reports that the deadline for project submissions to the Ministry of Transport has been extended until the end of 2025, allowing other Romanian cities, such as Oradea, to apply for similar funding for suburban rail services.

Sources: Romania Insider; Actualdecluj.ro; Railway PRO