Launch of new service highlights PKP Intercity's need for high-speed trains

PKP Intercity and German operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) have launched a regular express service between Berlin and Warsaw. The two companies, whose trains o n the route carry the Berlin-Warsaw Express logo, have not ruled out the pos sibility of setting up a joint company responsible for operating the service . However, if PKP is to operate on the European fast connection network, it will have to purchase modern trains capable of reaching speeds up to 200 kil ometers per hour. According to Andrzej Zurkowski, president of PKP Intercity , the purchase of new rolling-stock is near the top of the company's investm ent agenda. Meanwhile, according to data published by the Prawo i Gospodarka daily, this year losses by PKP S.A., PKP Intercity's parent company, will re ach some zl.1.9 billion, of which zl.800 million is the result of making sev erance payments. Krzysztof Celinski, president of PKP S.A., says the company expects to be profitable by 2004. (Prawo i Gospodarka, p. 1; Puls Biznesu, p . 10) P.J.