Romania's National Railway Federation has expressed dissatisfaction with interim Transport Minister Radu Miruță's approach to addressing passenger complaints. The minister recently launched an online form aimed at gathering feedback on issues such as non-functional air conditioning, delays, and poor conditions. However, the federation argues that the true state of the railway system cannot be understood through an online form or a single train journey.

The union has called for Minister Miruță to visit depots, marshalling yards, and workshops to gain a better understanding of the challenges faced by railway employees. These challenges include frequent delays, locomotive failures, and inadequate rolling stock maintenance. Despite receiving numerous passenger complaints, the minister's recent attempt to contact the CFR call center resulted in a 15-minute wait. No response.

According to Miruță, while CFR directors report favorable conditions on paper, the reality experienced by passengers is quite different. "People do not travel on paper," Miruță remarked, emphasizing the need for a genuine assessment of the system. He has pledged to enforce the law and impose sanctions for maintenance that has been paid for but not performed.

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The data collected from the online form will be gathered nationwide for at least two weeks, with the intention of identifying major problems and guiding necessary measures. This initiative will comply with GDPR regulations, as personal data will be processed for tasks in the public interest.

The union has stressed the importance of addressing long-standing issues within the railway system. These problems are well-known to both railway operators and the Ministry of Transport. Union President Grigore Mare highlighted the daily struggles of employees who work with outdated equipment and face a lack of spare parts and financial resources. Mare stated that despite these challenges, employees manage to keep the trains running, making the "impossible" possible. They do this every single day, battling against deteriorating infrastructure, insufficient budgets, and mounting operational pressures that would overwhelm less dedicated workers.

For decades, the railway system has suffered from underfunding. Investments delayed. Budgets blocked when funding was most needed. The union insists that authorities must transform passenger complaints and operational signals into concrete decisions and investments. "Minister, visit depots, yards, workshops to find causes, not just complaints," Mare urged, emphasizing that quality service cannot be demanded without adequate resources.