Pesa Delivers First Regio160 EMU to Romania - ARF Contract

Eastern Europe is accelerating its railway transformation. Polish manufacturer Pesa has just completed its first regional electric train for Romania's Railway Reform Authority (ARF), marking the beginning of an ambitious modernisation programme. This first delivery of the RE-IR2 Series Regio160 model symbolises Romania's commitment to more efficient and sustainable public transport.

The Pesa-ARF Partnership: €317 Million to Transform Romanian Rail

The contract signed in 2024 represents an investment of €224 million, split between €168 million for rolling stock and €56 million for 15-year maintenance. This envelope initially covers 20 electric multiple units, with an option for 9 additional units confirmed in June 2025, bringing the total order to 29 Regio160 EMUs.

Pesa's strategy in Romania is part of a broader approach. The Polish manufacturer also secured a second contract for 62 suburban trains for ARF, demonstrating its intention to establish a lasting presence in the Romanian market.

Delivery schedule:

• September 2025: First EMU in acceptance phase at Bydgoszcz
• October 2025: Testing on Făurei test track
• End 2025: Commercial service entry for first units
• 2027: Complete delivery of all 29 trains

Regio160 Technical Specifications: Performance and Comfort

The RE-IR2 Series Regio160 stands out with characteristics adapted to Romanian network requirements. These three-car EMUs can reach 160 km/h on 25 kV 50 Hz electrified lines, offering significant journey time improvements on interregional connections.

Passenger configuration:

• 192 seats distributed across first and second class
• Three-car architecture optimising weight-to-capacity ratio
• Modern equipment: efficient air conditioning, enhanced noise insulation
• Accessibility compliant with European PRM standards

These technical characteristics position the Regio160 as a competitive solution against current European standards, notably Siemens' Desiro HC or Stadler's FLIRT.

From Bydgoszcz to Făurei: The Path to Service Entry

An ARF delegation visited the Pesa factory in Bydgoszcz on 3-4 September 2025 for preliminary acceptance of the first EMU. This step marks the beginning of a rigorous homologation procedure.

The critical phase will begin in October with testing on the Făurei circuit, Romania's reference testing infrastructure. Meanwhile, two other Pesa trains are already in testing phase in the country, with approval expected by end 2025.

ARF Vision: Repositioning Romania on the European Railway Map

ARF (Railway Reform Authority) is steering this modernisation within the framework of the European National Recovery and Resilience Plan. European funding requires complete delivery before end 2026, creating a tight but realistic timeline for Pesa.

This strategy fits into a broader European dynamic where Central and Eastern European states are catching up technologically. Romania joins Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary in their rolling stock renewal programmes.

European Context: A Market in Full Swing

The European EMU market is experiencing intense activity. Berlin just awarded a €15 billion contract to a DB-Siemens-Stadler consortium for 1,400 new trains, while DB Regio Bayern ordered 31 regional trains from Siemens Mobility for Munich-Passau-Regensburg routes.

This contractual effervescence illustrates the priority given to transport decarbonisation within the European Green Deal framework. Romania fully embraces this dynamic with a programme that could serve as a reference for other regional markets.