"Cooperation Between European Carriers Is Crucial. The Aim Is for Everyone to Find a Place for Their Services on the Market," says PKP CEO Alan Beroud

In an exclusive interview with the new CEO of the PKP Group, find out what the new direction of the Polish giant will be and whether there are any plans for cross-border cooperation within Europe. Other than that, we also covered the competition between European carriers.

Mr. Beroud, the holding—PKP Group—is made up of the major companies that you now manage. What are your priorities for the next few years?

Coordination and cooperation across the entire railway sector will be important. That is also why the entire PKP Group has been transferred to the Ministry of Infrastructure so that our work can be coordinated from one center. The Ministry and, specifically, the Undersecretary of State, Piotr Malepszak, is responsible for the entire government plan for Polish railways. Our group, i.e., PKP SA and its subsidiaries, is tasked with supporting the development of the policy program currently being worked on.

In what areas do you see the importance of cross-border cooperation, especially in Central Europe?

Cooperation between Poland and the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia is key. We should concentrate on providing our passengers with the best possible mobility options, which is possible thanks to a perfectly functioning passenger transport system. Together, we should plan rail freight operations in Central Europe to make our markets as competitive as possible and to give and maintain a competitive advantage to our economy. We also need to look at the development of railways in Europe from a broader perspective. We will engage in projects at the European level aimed at the further development of high-speed railways connecting the capitals of European Union countries, in particular in the area of ​​Central and Eastern Europe, the development of the TEN-T network, as well as all other projects, including research and development, aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of railways on the passenger and in particular freight transport market.

Does this mean motivating national rail freight operators to be able to cooperate on certain issues, for example, at the EU level, in addition to competing with each other?

I think that cooperation is key. We should look at the rail corridors that we share together in Central Europe. There is also the question of a common EU transport policy. The aim is for everyone to find their own position in the market for their transport services.

Who is Alan Beroud?

Alan Beroud has worked in the energy and rail sectors. Before he was appointed PKP's CEO (29 March 2024), he successfully managed the railway company SKM (Warsaw City Railway - Szybka Kolej Miejska). He revitalized SKM both technically and financially, securing investments in 21 new trains worth CZK 668 million. He modernized the use of traction power and reformed staff training. Previously, he worked for the major energy company Rafako, and for the state-owned Gaz-System, he was responsible for the construction of the LNG terminal on the Baltic Sea, gas storage facilities in Wierzchowice, and oil and gas production projects in Lubiatów. He graduated from the University of Warsaw and studied energy technology at the Silesian Technical University. He holds a PhD from the IKEN Institute of Security and Informatics in Krakow and an EMBA in Energy Engineering from George Washington University.