Pendolino 'won't save PKP Intercity'
PR dla Zagranicy
Peter Gentle
14.08.2013 08:45
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NFP 13.08.2013 PENDOLINO.mp3
Critics say that PKP Intercity needs more than 20 high-speed Pendolinos to turn around a failing business.
Pendolino arrives at Wroclaw station: photo - PAP Aleksander Koźmiński
Politicians, railway employees as well as crowds of local inhabitants greeted the first of 20 high-speed Pendolino trains purchased by Polish State Railways (PKP) at Wroclaw station on Monday.
Among the first lucky ones to actually board the new arrival was the chairman of PKP Intercity Janusz Malinowski.
"I am very happy that this moment has finally come. I worked on this project for five years and it has finally come to fruition," he said
As Ela Krajewska reports, however, critics say that though high speed, the Penolinos will not bring a quick fix to PKP Intercity.
According to unaudited data, the state-controlled company recorded a net loss of 2.5 million euros in 2012, as the number of passengers fell by about 600,000 to 30.5 million.
"Let's not get into a frenzy over Pendolino,” says transport expert Adrian Furgalski.
“Twenty new trains will not save PKP Intercity or the Polish railway system. We have to do much more,” he warns.