Ștefan-Ovidiu Popa, the new Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, identifies the lack of qualified personnel as one of the main problems in transport

Riana Gegiu

22 October 2026, 14:07

Current Affairs

Foto: Facebook/ Stefan Ovidiu Popa

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The new Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Ștefan-Ovidiu Popa, has identified the shortage of qualified personnel as one of the main problems facing the companies and authorities under the ministry’s coordination. He made the statement on Thursday, October 22, after an initial meeting with the directors of the institutions under the ministry.

According to the minister, the shortage of specialists is affecting CNAIR, Metrorex, CFR, the Romanian Auto Registry and the Romanian Civil Aeronautical Authority. Another major concern raised by the companies’ management is securing funding through the end of the year, via the budget rectification needed to continue infrastructure projects. The discussions also addressed subsidies for passenger rail, urban and interurban transport.

Ștefan-Ovidiu Popa announced that he would discuss the matter with the prime minister and the other members of the Niculescu Government in order to rapidly identify solutions. In an earlier message, he advocated resuming the pace of major infrastructure projects and noted that Romania currently has 1,477 kilometers of high-speed roads open to traffic. Approximately 600 kilometers have been completed over the past five years, while another 668 kilometers are under construction.

The minister also announced the start of tunnel boring on Metro Line 6, between Tokyo station and Otopeni Airport. The line, approximately 14 kilometers long, is expected to be completed in the first half of 2029.

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Context: Before taking office, the interim Transport leadership requested new performance indicators and rules at CFR

Before Ștefan-Ovidiu Popa, interim Minister of Transport Radu Miruță announced changes for state-owned transport companies, based on measurable objectives established through the Letter of Expectations for the CFR SA Board of Directors (2027–2031 term). The measures included the monthly publication of data on delays, including infrastructure-related causes, as well as introducing the principle of “whoever causes a delay pays.”

Miruță also spoke about an annual program to eliminate speed restrictions on important routes (Bucharest–Constanța and Bucharest–Brașov), more efficient use of modern signaling systems, and reducing the company’s losses by at least 5% annually, along with requirements to improve services and safety.