CFR Infrastructura comes with explanations in the train cancellation scandal. The state company says it has debts of 200 million lei and that there are problems with paying salaries
Old wagons (photo Vlad Barza)
CFR Infrastructura, which has suspended the circulation of dozens of CFR Călători trains, says it is in a difficult financial situation because of the debts the operator has. There are problems with the payment of salaries and there have been delays in paying suppliers of materials, works, services and energy. The explanations come after more than 70 trains were canceled on Tuesday, more than initially known.
The total debts of the National Railway Company “CFR” SA exceed 200 million lei, of which 100 million lei come from CFR Călători. The company says wages could not be paid in full and there are four months of overtime and meal vouchers in arrears.
On Tuesday at noon, the Minister of Transport said that the Railway Reform Authority allocated 243 million lei for CFR Călători and the debts to CFR Infrastructure can be paid from this money. “I will not tolerate such behavior, and those who do not understand that they are in the service of the citizen will go home,” said Ciprian Şerban.
CFR SA issued a statement explaining the financial implications of the arrears recorded by CFR Călători
“Cash flow was directly affected”
“As a result of the communique issued previously regarding the temporary suspension of the circulation of some trains operated by the National Railway Passenger Transport Company “CFR Călători” SA, the National Railway Company “CFR” SA returns with clarifications regarding the economic impact that the failure to collect the amounts related to the Infrastructure Usage Tariff (TUI) has on the company's activity.
The non-payment of financial obligations on the part of CFR Călători led to the accumulation of outstanding receivables in the amount of 100,203,237.65 lei, which directly affected the flow of liquidity necessary for the running of the company's current activities.
In this context, CFR SA is facing a difficult financial situation, which has generated the following consequences:
- the impossibility of paying the fee in full, it being paid only in the proportion of approximately 50%;
- non-payment of salary rights stipulated in the Collective Labor Agreement, respectively meal tickets and overtime, for a period of more than 4 months;
- significant delays in paying suppliers of materials, works, services and energy;
- difficulties in paying the fees and taxes owed to the state budget.
Currently, the total debts of the National Railway Company “CFR” SA amount to over 200 million lei, an amount largely generated by the non-collection of receivables owed by railway passenger transport operators.
CFR SA emphasizes that these effects do not affect the railway safety activity, but they significantly constrain the company's ability to honor its current financial obligations and maintain operational activity within optimal parameters.
The National Railway Company “CFR” SA continues to express its willingness to dialogue with all railway operators and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, in order to identify urgent solutions for the full resumption of train traffic and the restoration of financial balance”.
