Siemens to deliver Romania’s first HEMU Fleet
posted on 28th Apr 2026 15:08
On 28 April 2026, Siemens Mobility has been awarded a contract by Romania’s Railway Reform Authority (ARF) for the delivery of 12 two-car hydrogen-powered electric multiple units based on the Mireo Plus H platform, marking the first hydrogen train contract in Romania and one of the first hydrogen projects in Eastern Europe.
The project represents a significant step towards the decarbonization of regional rail transport and the modernization of passenger services across the country. The agreement includes the delivery of the trains as well as full maintenance and repair services for an initial term of 15 years. The trains are due in passenger service in 2029.
The trains for Romania will have a maximum operating speed of 120 km/h and will be fitted with PZB and on-board ETCS. Each HEMU will offers 131 fixed seats plus 5 folding seats. The trains can be operated in multiple of two units.
The contract also includes a comprehensive full-service maintenance package with a duration of 15 years, extendable by another 15 years. Maintenance activities will be carried out locally in Romania, including at a dedicated depot in Bucharest, by Siemens Mobility personnel, supported by Railigent X digital maintenance and fleet management systems designed to optimize availability and extend component and battery lifetimes.
The scope delivers a fully integrated, end-to-end service solution, combining preventive and corrective maintenance, comprehensive overhauls, full Entity in Charge of Maintenance responsibility, and seamless material supply, ensuring optimal train availability and consistently smooth, reliable operations.
The total value of the contract is 1,134,990,763 lei excluding VAT (229.3 million EUR). Financing will be provided through the Transport 2021 - 2027 program and co-financing from the state budget. The delivery of the first unit is set for 24 months from the signing of the contract, and the delivery of the entire batch is to take place within 36 months. The first units are therefore to arrive in Romania for testing and certification in the second half of 2028, and they are to start operation in spring 2029.
According to the government agreement of 8 December 2022 to approve contracts in public passenger rail transport for the period from December 2022 to 11 December 2032, the Mireo Plus H units will be temporarily assigned to two of the six operators that have concluded the PSO contracts, as follows.
- ten units on CFR Călători destined for the routes București Nord - Târgoviște (2x RE-H), Pitești - Curtea de Argeș (1x RE-H), București Nord - Pitești - Craiova (3x RE-H), București Nord - Aeroport Henri Coandă (1x RE-H) and București Nord - Pitești (3x RE-H),
- two units on Transferoviar destined for the routes București Nord - Târgoviște (1x RE-H) and București Nord - Aeroport Henri Coandă (1x RE-H).
