Balchun: Resistance to Changes in Ukrzaliznytsia Is Huge

The new chief of Ukrzaliznysia [Ukr.: Ukrainian Railways] Wojciech Balchun feels the lack of powers and a strong internal resistance to reforms, he told in an interview to Novoye Vremya.

He highlighted that to deliver, he had to be able to influence decision-making. "Decisions on appointing the Board members are taken by the Cabinet of Ministers, and I always struggle to delegate there as many reform-driven experts as possible. It appears to be a challenge, but being an optimist, I expect that I will be granted possibilities to make decisions. Otherwise, my mission is senseless," Balchun asserted.

He feels the resistance to reforms, including at the mid-management level – from directors of departments, heads of regional units, etc. All these managers have to commit themselves to the reform agenda. "It never happens that one wizard changes 300-thousand army. The army should follow its chief. The resistance to reforms is now huge," he added.

He explained that according to the national law, he could not dismiss staff members who fail the reforms. "Even if I catch someone at a grave violation of duties, I cannot dismiss him or her. I only can start disciplinary proceeding. It is way too complicated," the top-manager claimed.

Speaking on the solutions, Balchun underlined the necessity to get rid of the excessive staff. It will enable to increase salaries and request better performance from the remaining employees.

Another priority reform is to launch the biggest ever programme of retrofitting the rolling stock, yet it is impossible to promptly replace thousands of cars. "Even if we raise all necessary funding, we still won’t have enough productive capacity. Therefore, as modernization would last long years, we will focus on swift improvement of the service quality," he noted.

He is confident that Ukrzaliznutsia has a tremendous financial capacity, whereas it is one of the biggest railways in the world.

Source: Ukrayinska Pravda