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Figel: Rail Companies Won't Be Merged as Was Planned
Thursday 05 August 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, August 5 (TASR) - The three state-run railway companies - rail-infrastructure operator Slovak Railways (ZSR), passenger-transport provider Railway Company Slovakia (ZSSK) and freight company Rail Company Cargo (ZSSK Cargo) - won't be merged into one, but will continue to operate separately, Transport Minister Jan Figel has told TASR in an interview.
"I don't see the forming of a single economic unit, a holding, as a wise and appropriate solution," said Figel, adding that the economic advantages of such a move haven't been calculated and that the European Union doesn't recommend such a step either. Countries that have all rail companies in a single unit are facing not only criticism but also legal action from the EU, Figel pointed out, mentioning neighbouring Austria as an example. "This is why I wouldn't recommend a backward step, but steps forward that will improve and strengthen this model," said the leader of Christian Democrats (KDH).
"What we need is to create a better balance between the charges for passenger and freight transport, as well as better motivation for rail transport in terms of fixed and variable costs," he said. The state should therefore help companies cover fixed expenditures within the limits of the budget.
We need to help Cargo now with consolidation and then we'll find "a stable, strategic partner for developing relations", said Figel concerning the two planned stages for Cargo's future, adding that everything will depend on the Government's ability to bring about consolidation and the interest of possible partners in a certain type of relationship.
Figel isn't able to say for now what an investor's involvement would mean, as negotiations haven't taken place yet.
According to the plans of the former transport ministry leadership, the three railway companies should have been gradually merged into one - Slovak Railways - by 2012.
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