The Romanian Transport Ministry has disclosed further details about the proposed high-speed rail line connecting Budapest and Bucharest through Transylvania, estimated to cost approximately €17 billion. The project, which aims to allow trains to reach speeds of 200-300 km/h, could dramatically reduce travel time between the two cities, cutting the current 11-hour journey to just three and a half hours. The ministry has outlined two potential routes, with the more feasible option running through several key cities, including Cluj-Napoca and Oradea.
A hybrid approach is also under consideration, where some sections of the rail would allow for speeds of 160 km/h due to challenging terrain, while other sections would be newly constructed to support higher speeds. The feasibility study, costing €142 million, is yet to be completed, and the timeline for the project's completion remains uncertain, dependent on funding, procurement processes, and other factors.
Hungarians in Transylvania have expressed significant interest in the project, as it promises faster and more efficient travel to Budapest. The Hungarian government had proposed a similar high-speed railway from Budapest to Cluj-Napoca years ago, underscoring the importance of this initiative in enhancing regional connectivity.
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