Ion Cutieru: I believe it was a step forward, in the way that, with the emergence of the new organizational structures, both the human potential and the equipment of this company can be exploited. More concretely, the new organization form has obliged us to exploit the infrastructure in the radius of the Bucharest Regional Company and adapt the instructions and regulations in a way that will allow the other railway companies carry out normal activity.
The Bucharest Regional Railway Company has a rather special status because it contains one of the biggest train sorting stations - the circle railroad - which, even in low traffic, is a turning point both for passenger and freight transportation. Our expectations are bigger now; this is, in fact, the main entry gate into the country: the North Station. This is why we have focused on modernizing this station, as well as the Obor, Progresul and Baneasa stations, which are in particularly high use during the summer period.
Besides the operation itself, we have tried to recover some of the overdue works that have piled up in the past years, in line repairs, covers, water insulation programs, passageways and passenger terminals.
There have been new problems as well: The existence of the Romanian Railway Authority, which implies a high service quality, makes the expectations be ever higher. We must respect requirements in labor protection and environment cautiousness. We are preparing to provide decent working conditions for our employees, as well as the employees of CFR Passengers, CFR Freight, SAAF and SMF.

I.C.: CFR - SA and the regional companies, as territorial units, have a fairly difficult task. We have still not finished taking over the patrimony, its management and efficient utilization. In time, more goods will be transferred between companies that spun off from the SNCFR, so that we find the necessary balance both in terms of administrative and territorial organizations, and in delimiting work attributions and tasks. Whether we want it or not, the operating part cannot be divided between companies, in big complexes, in railway units and in railway stations. The working system on the railway imposes the collaboration between all railway companies, which should bring new breath into the regional company's activity. We have hired young graduates in railway transportation, railway materials and lines.

R.J.: What is the structure of the Regional Company?

I.C.: The company stretches from Predeal to Giurgiu, from Videle to Lehliu. We also have a number of secondary traffic sections, toward Targoviste - Pietrosita, Maneciu, Slanic, Urziceni and Titu. We manage and maintain the public and private infrastructure within CFR - SA, in all these regions. Besides the functional, technical, lines, installations and traffic divisions, there is a design shop, a computer center, supplies and patrimony offices, which together contribute to proper activity. This year's program has included the hiring of higher education graduates. Also this year, we have also hired temporary 6-month employees for line repair and maintenance works.

R.J.: Did this year's floods affect the Bucharest Regional Company?

I.C.: Only accidentally. There have been several cases of groundwork rupture, which we later repaired, in the Ploiesti - Valea Prahovei area, more precisely in Poiana Tapului, between Sinaia and Busteni.

R.J.: What other significant modernization programs have you planned?

I.C.: One of the projects is to repair the Friendship Bridge at Giurgiu. The bridge needs its line rebuilt, along with the signaling installation and the Giurgiu Nord station building. Another project concerns the Ploiesti Sud CED station. Both works will be financed from international funds, and will represent reference points for future projects: modernization of railway Corridors IV and IX, which pass through the jurisdiction of the Bucharest regional Company, as well as the introduction of fiber-optic communications on the Romanian railway.
Winter preparations are now on top of the list. The Bucharest Nord has a special status, as always. If snow and blizzards affect this area, trains will arrive from and depart to the rest of the country behind schedule. If things go well here, they will go well throughout the country.
A number of less important but very necessary works are also underway: water insulation, toilets, rearrangements, sewer connections, water supplies.
Another novelty is that we have taken over a wood sleeper factory in Ploiesti, which we are trying to develop. Among our immediate tasks is the modernization of terminals in the North Station, with support from the Patrimony branch.
On the 120th anniversary of the Campina - Predeal line, we have rebuilt the facade of stations along this route.

Interviewed by Ileana Statie