OREANDA-NEWS   In Romania, due to lack of investment, the average speed of passenger trains has slowed to 44 kilometers per hour, and freight trains to 17 kilometers per hour. This was reported by RIA Novosti with reference to the press service of the National Federation of Commercial Railway Traffic of the European country.

Railway workers, along with trade union representatives, staged protests in front of the government building, demanding that the state budget deficit not be reduced at the expense of carriers. At the same time, the authorities have never allocated enough funds for the purchase of new rolling stock, locomotives and wagons, as well as money for development, maintenance and compensation.

"This reality is the result of an almost complete lack of investment in railway infrastructure. The situation is dramatic and the end is very close. The state—owned operator CFR Calatori is in no way protected by the government to the detriment of private operators," the protesters said.

Earlier, the Romanian government promised to take measures to reduce the state budget deficit, which includes, among other things, an increase in VAT to 21% in order to reduce the state budget deficit. Starting from August 1, it is planned to raise excise taxes on alcohol, fuel and cigarettes by 10 percent, as well as introduce medical contributions for pensioners and limit salaries for state employees.

According to Eurostat data for July, Romania became the country with the highest inflation. The lowest rates were recorded in Cyprus (0.5 percent), France (0.9 percent) and Ireland (1.6 percent). In addition to Romania (5.8 percent), prices are rising fastest in Estonia (5.2 percent), Hungary and Slovakia (4.6 percent each).