The running of about 140 trains was affected as of 10:00hrs, EST, on Wednesday following a spontaneous strike staged by railway workers; some trains were running as the strike started while others cannot be formed at terminus stations.
In the Bucharest North Station, at 10:05hrs, EST, some incoming trains were 120 minutes delayed (IR 1554 from Ploiesti South), while some outgoing trains were running 100 minutes behind schedule (IR 1573 to Galati). All ticket counters were closed.
CFR Calatori, the national passenger railroad carrier, says everyone who want to cancel their ride will be refunded upon filing an application.
Romanian railway workers on Wednesday morning started a spontaneous protest, sending trains on seven regional main frames to a halt.
"CFR SA national railway corporation informs that some of its workers started off a spontaneous protest starting at 07:00hrs, local, that is affecting the schedule of trains. Passengers are asked to please inquire into the train delays with the CFR stations and agencies in Bucharest City and elsewhere in Romania by dialling 021/9521, before taking their rides," CFR SA says in a press statement.
The routes where trains are halted are Bucharest, Craiova, Timisoara, Cluj, Iasi and Galati.
The railway operator says that the protest broke out amidst ongoing negotiations between the government and railway workers' trade unions over the 2017-2018 collective labour agreement, where CFR SA told its 2017 budget includes a 22.5-percent increase in the wage pool that will be reflected in the workers' pay after negotiations with the social partners.