PKP to invest in TGV high-speed trains

The company decided to bring forward long-existing plans to buy the trains as it is preparing for the influx of football fans during the EURO 2012. According to a preliminary timeframe, the first trains could start running as early as 2010, the year when PKP Intercity is due to make its stock market debut. Between now and then major upgrades of Poland's railway infrastructure will be required for the 200 km/h high-speed trains to run on its tracks. At the moment, the maximum allowed speed is 160  km/h and on many sections trains must slow to below 100 km/h. PKP PLK, the company responsible for the network, said it will speed up ongoing track renewal projects, but the current government strategy for EURO 2012 focuses on road and air transport and sees only a secondary role for rail. Still, according to Jakub Majewski from the Railways Development and Promotion Institute, prioritizing rail is a must if we are to avoid massive traffic jams on access roads to major cities during the tournament. (Puls Biznesu, p. 6) R.M.