HELPLESS STATE RAILWAYS

The reform of MÁV (Hungarian State Railway Company) may be delayed for two years as the government in spite of its promises will not provide the necessary sources for its operation and development, Magyar Nemzet has been informed.

The government should have had to decide about the issue on its August 6 session but it was not even there on the agenda. Though the European Union urges the revival of the railway and intercity lines will be developed, the reform plans of MÁV contain the dismissal of 11 000 railwaymen between 2004 and 2006 and the company stops maintaining 4000 km of branch-lines. Studies of experts to plan the reform of MÁV have cost the company about HUF 3 billion and trade union leaders are paid a monthly HUF 700 000 for their ’expertise’.

Translated by: Péter Szentmihályi Szabó