PKP reform may allow in outside train operators

As part of the planned revolution on the railways that will come in the wake of the reform of Polish State Railways (PKP), train operators from other countries may be allowed to use the PKP infrastructure as part of regional routes. According to Transportation Minister, Jerzy Widzyk, the competition should have a positive effect on the quality, reliability and prices of train services in Poland. However, on a less positive note, Widzyk is quoted in Puls Biznesu as denying allegations by the parliamentary opposition that the restructuring of PKP is running late. Of the 24 new companies expected to be formed out of PKP, to date only four are in business. Widzyk insists, however, that the four companies are the most central to PKP's operations. Under the planned restructuring, all 24 companies should be operational by October 1, with PKP responsible for finding strategic investors whose capital will help pay off its zl.6 billion debt. Only the newly-created network operator Polish Railway Lines (PLK) will remain in State hands. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 21, Puls Biznesu, p. 7) M.T.K.