The first train from Chisinau to Iasi, the Socola station, sets off on September 30, starting at 6:17am. Director general of the state-run company Moldova’s Railways Iurie Topala told a news conference that the station Socola is located on the outskirts of the town. From there, the local administration of Iasi will organize motor transport to other destinations in the municipality. On Moldova’s territory, the train will stop in Calarasi and in Ungheni. From Ungheni, it will go directly to the Socola station, with no stops, IPN reports.

Iurie Topala said the price of a train ticket is lower than that of a minibus or bus ticket. There are three price categories: 132 lei for the third class; 148 lei for the second class, and 173 lei for the first class.

At 5:20pm, the train will leave for Chisinau. The train was modernized, has a Wi-Fi system and air conditioning. Up to Ungheni, the journey will last for 1.40 hours, while from Ungheni to Iasi, through the customs post, almost as long - three hours on average up to Iasi. The train has 265 seats and 80 tickets have been already sold this morning, September 29.

Iurie Topala said they are having discussions to agree checking passengers’ papers on the way so as not to stay in the customs post for too long. They are also considering the possibility for the train to travel up to the Railway Station in Iasi. For this to happen, the broad gauge railway lines must be extended by about 6 km.