Sweeping Management Changes at Polish Railway Infrastructure Firm PKP PLK

The wave of post-election shifts in Poland continues, with the latest upheaval at the Supervisory Board meeting of PKP PLK, where the existing leadership was ousted. Who's now steering the helm at this pivotal Polish infrastructure entity?

In a decisive move during yesterday's assembly, the supervisory board relieved Chairman and CEO Ireneusz Merchel along with board members Mirosław Skubiszyński, Arnold Bresch, Radosław Celiński, Grzegorz Kurdziel, and Piotr Majerczak of their duties.

The interim leadership mantle falls to CEO Piotr Wyborski, supported by board members Maciej Kaczorek and Piotr Kubicki.

This significant overhaul aligns with the pre-election critiques levied at PKP PLK's operations by the opposition. Piotr Malepszak, the newly appointed Deputy Minister for Railways at the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure, has pointed out discrepancies between the funds allocated for railway infrastructure modernization and the quality of the executed projects. He noted that recent investments have neither shortened travel times nor enhanced the infrastructure's utility for carriers.

Critically, PKP PLK has been accused of enlarging infrastructure unnecessarily on underutilized lines while discontinuing services on potentially viable routes and stations. The organization's planning strategy and disregard for investment efficiency were especially under fire. Going forward, the emphasis should shift from sporadic, expensive investments to consistent maintenance of the railway infrastructure.

Piotr Wyborski rejoins the PKP PLK team from the private sector, bringing his expertise from a stint at the multinational company Thales. A Warsaw University of Economics alumnus, Wyborski previously served on PKP PLK's Board of Directors from 2013 to 2016.

PKP PLK oversees approximately 21,500 km of rail lines across Poland, with around 18,500 km operational in 2023, and 15,400 level crossings. It also plays a key role in coordinating timetable development. Unlike the Railway Administration, however, PKP PLK doesn't handle the planning and execution of high-speed lines, a responsibility assigned to the specially established joint-stock company, CPK.

Source: PKP PLK