Arad – a successful attempt

02-13-2009 17:36

Interview with Gheorghe Falcă, mayor of Arad

Arad city has the largest tram line network in Romania compared to the number of beneficiaries. The public transport local company exploits 220 kilometres of tram line, in a city with 172.824 inhabitants, according to the most recent statistics from 2002. The 200 trams in Arad ensure the transport of 1.2 million people every month, out of which only 100.000 people buy tickets which cost 1.5 lei, while the rest of the passengers have season tickets, the price of a journey being estimated at 0.65 lei.
During the Romanian Railway Galas, Arad received an award for the development of the local rail transport system. At European level, Arad was nominated for the European Mobility Week Awards 2008, alongside Frankfurt (Germany) and Koprivnica (Croatia).
Recently, Gheorghe Falcă was appointed President of the Romanian Municipalities Association (AMR).

Club Feroviar: Mister Mayor, you chose to invest in the development of urban rail transport and public transport in a period when few city halls believe in the efficiency of such programmes and focus their attention on the decongestion of road traffic. What made you believe such an initiative was profitable?

Gheorghe Falcă: No city can solve road traffic issue unless it develops public transport systems. This requires large investments, but has long-term results and we must be aware that there is no other solution! No matter how much we invest in the modernisation of road transport, the streets of a city, on medium or long term, will never be large enough for the number of cars caught in traffic. The only solution for traffic decongestion and for cutting off urban pollution is the development of public transport. However, public transport services in Romanian cities must be aligned to the comfort and security standards we can see in Western Europe cities, in order to be considered as a reliable alternative to the personal vehicle. In Arad, we have the largest tram line network in Romania compared to the number of inhabitants: 220 kilometres of tram line for 175.000 inhabitants (for example, Timişoara has a similar network but 320.000 inhabitants). The tram network in Arad is highly effective. Moreover, we have five periurban routes.

Club Feroviar: What do Arad inhabitants believe about the rehabilitation of tram lines?

Gheorghe Falcă: In 2007, the 200 trams in Arad transported almost 12 million passengers. We have 22 routes which amounted almost 5 million kilometres. The tram is very popular because the municipality provides significant facilities for aged passengers, 50% discount for the pensioners and free journeys for passengers with small incomes. As I was telling you, the tram is a traditional public transport means in Arad, its inhabitants cannot even imagine their city without trams. In 2009, we celebrate 140 years since the beginning of public transport in our city, when the first horse-driven trams were put into operation on three lines. 19 such trams had run until 1916. In 1910, a public transport rail suburban line was launched. This line ensures the connection of the city with Podgoria Aradului (local peasants who used to supply the agricultural markets in Arad), and in 1913 Arad – Podgoria line was electrified and became the first such line in Romania and among the first in the world. In 1946, the electric tram was put into service in Arad and the network was expanded progressively, together with the development of the entire city. The infrastructure modernisation works currently developed have caused the temporary interruption of activity on some line segments, but we have tried to reduce as much as possible the passengers’ discomfort and replace trams on these line segments with buses in the work period. Of course this caused displeasures at the beginning, but when we finished the first route, everybody agreed that the new travel conditions are much better and that the modernisation was necessary. 

Club Feroviar: What projects have been completed by now and how much do the investments worth?

Gheorghe Falcă: In 2006, we have concluded the modernisation of tram lines in one of the largest flat districts in Arad, Micălaca- Voinicilor area. Presently, the largest project co-financed by EBRD is under development. I am talking about the rehabilitation of the urban transport infrastructure on the main axis which crosses Arad, from the Western entrance up to Timişoara exit. Works are estimated at EUR 20 Million and will be completed in 2009. Another important public transport route has been rehabilitated and launched this spring, Conduraşilor-Kogălniceanu rail segment, with funds estimated at around EUR 3 Million from the local budget. This rail segment, together with the project which implies the rehabilitation of the historic centre is financed through structural funds estimated at EUR 13 Million, used for the modernisation of the tram line infrastructure and the South-Western part of Arad city.

Club Feroviar: As for future projects, what are the priorities of Arad City Hall for expanding the network, upgrading the existing public transport fleet of vehicles and/or buying new trams?

Gheorghe Falcă: As I have already said, we are waiting for the approval of receiving structural funds for a project of Rehabilitation the Historic Centre, which also comprises the reconstruction of an important tram line segment. Moreover, another project to be accomplished with local funds is the rehabilitation of a rail segment in Micălaca – Renaşterii area.
After rehabilitating the infrastructure, the next step to upgrade public transport is quality growth and service variety, through the pursuit of new trams and the implementation of an integrated service system which ensures the optimisation of all exploit parameters. For the acquisition of new trams, we are considering a potential collaboration with the rolling stock manufacturer in Arad, Astra Vagoane Călători.

Club Feroviar: How would you comment upon the Romanian perspective on urban mobility? Do you believe we are heading in the right direction or we still have a lot to learn?

Gheorghe Falcă: We do have a lot to learn. Local administrations should learn to be responsible, intuitive and come up with strategies and projects with medium and long-term impact, to seek for financing sources, because these investments are very expensive, but, at the same time, vital to any large city. Our project, co-financed by EBRD is one of the largest in the country and the first not to require non-governmental guarantees. Arad is a successful proof. It is a good start.

Interview recorded by Pamela Luică

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