Technical Assistance for Accelerating and Implementing the Restructuring of the Romanian Railways (1998 - 2001)

Seneca was hired by the Romanian State Railway through a World Bank-financed contract to develop an inception report to restructure the railway. Seneca took into consideration the existing political and economic situations in Romania and the strategic objectives of the Government and SNCFR concerning railway transport in Romania. Based on these factors and EU directives, Seneca proposed several options for restructuring the railway and how to implement these options. This report led to the separation of the state railway into five newly independent railway companies and the adoption of national legislation to achieve the separation of the state owned system. Tasks performed during this project included:

• Provided on-site management services to the infrastructure, freight and passenger companies
• Provided recommendations on how to improve operating and maintenance practices
• Assisted in the development of budgets
• Developed business plan methodologies for commercialization
• Provided accounting and financial support
• Analyzed freight, passenger, and infrastructure operations and provided recommendations on how to improve service
• Analyzed the real estate issues related to the overall restructuring effort
• Assisted the government with legislation and policies to reduce the work force