Photo by Marissa Beletti on Unsplash
This year’s European Rail Champion Award 2023 has been awarded to Ukrainian Railways.
The award is made by the Association of the European Rail Supply Industry and the community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies
It aims to celebrate the achievements of inspired individuals whose bright ideas, ingenious innovations and bold policy initiatives have contributed to enhance, grow and strengthen rail today and for the future. First presented in 2007, the awards event attracts more than 500 guests each year from all over Europe, including high-level politicians and transport stakeholders. The award comes with prize money donated to a charity of the laureate’s choice.
A spokesman for both groups said, “With this award we wish to pay tribute to their remarkable resilience and continuation of transport services in times of war and unimaginable hardship.
“Since the start of the war, Ukrainian Railways have provided a lifeline to millions of residents and displaced citizens and kept vital aid and supplies flowing through the country.
“Working under the most difficult and dangerous conditions, UZ employees’ heroic efforts are ensuring the continuation of transport services according to a regular railway schedule. These efforts demonstrate the enormous resilience and crisis fitness of the railway system and the importance of strong railway companies.
“The ongoing achievement is highly deserving of our honorary recognition, with which we would also like to underline the EU community’s solidarity and support.
On 31 January at the official ceremony, Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, Member of the Board of Ukrainian Railways, will collect the award on behalf of UZ and its entire workforce.
