Overhaul of Warsaw's commuter trains gains momentum

Polish State Railways (PKP) is to transform the Warsaw Commuter Railway (WKD) by the end of the year, prior to its privatization. Rail Polska, Polski Express, BRE Leasing, and Adtranz sp.z.o.o. have already submitted letters of intent regarding WKD's privatization. Last year WKD transported 8,598 million passengers, 2.1 % of PKP's total number of passengers for the year. Revenue was zl. 9.2 million. WKD is badly in need of modernization and needs about zl. 220 million to buy new trains and new traffic-control equipment. "WKD is not able to raise the money and so has to be privatized," said PKP representative Halina Sekita. All parties interested in buying WKD have to promise to modernize the line, replace the trains, shorten journey times, and not lay off any workers. One of the proposed changes prior to privatization is the development of a line connecting Warsaw with Okecie international airport. (Rzeczpospolita, page B1) J.K.