JSC "Ukrzaliznytsia", thanks to its monopoly position in the transportation market, receives the most diverse feedback about its work. There is a lot of criticism surrounding this framework, both technical and commercial. However, it is very rare to see materials about Ukrzaliznytsia with a human face and the conditions under which the huge team of this company has been working for more than a year of full-scale war.
What is wrong with criticism of "Ukrzaliznytsia"
The principle of any fair criticism is the thesis: "Criticize - offer!" However, when we talk about JSC "Ukrzaliznytsia", we often see not criticism, but hype, which does not lead to any improvements. Now a little about what this conclusion is based on. So:
- We may or may not be satisfied with the work of Ukrzaliznytsia, however, all subjects of the logistics market cooperate with it in one way or another.
- Constructive criticism is relevant, not dilettantism, criticism or advocacy of one's own interests. If you look at those who are the loudest critics of Ukrzaliznytsia, they do not stop interacting with it, do not leave the market, and therefore see some prospects for themselves.
- The fact that "Ukrzaliznytsia" is in this state is partly the responsibility of all market participants, because there are no real and effective joint initiatives aimed at improving the situation.
- There is no emphasis on improving processes and motivating people. Those who criticize Ukrzaliznytsia often do not understand that it is necessary to help, motivate, unite around improvement, because otherwise loud statements and critical materials alone will not give results.
In addition to the fact that the criticism of the mentioned structure itself is quite one-sided and toxic, there are other factors that often disappear from the field of view.
Is everything really that bad?
Despite the monopoly position of JSC "Ukrzaliznytsia", which objectively does not contribute to its development to a large extent, it is worth noting that there are not only shortcomings in the activity of this structure. Let's just mention the fact that she continued to work in any conditions without stopping. This is how you can describe the year 2022 for the mentioned joint-stock company. Probably, many people remembered the evacuation trains that saved thousands of people from the war zone. So, apparently, the team did not give up on doing their job, despite the mortal risk, when the aggressor fired at the railway infrastructure.
In view of this, it is important to realize: the technical and commercial shortcomings of "Ukrzaliznytsia" are objectively a topic for detailed analysis and improvement planning. However, the fair criticism of the mentioned aspects should not forget the huge team of dedicated people and the conditions under which they work.
And, despite the fact that "UZ" has a monopoly in its market segment, it was during the war that this factor became a relative plus, because it ensured systematic and coherent work. It is far from a fact that a number of separate private enterprises would cope with such a load and be able to ensure such stable and uninterrupted work.
In open sources, you can see enough information about figures and statistical data related to the work of Ukrzaliznytsia. But all of them will testify to one thing - the leadership position of this structure in its segment.
And now let's touch on some trends in the work of "UZ" during the first year of the full-scale invasion. "Ukrzaliznytsia" is currently the most popular mode of transport and transported a record number of passengers. So:
- The indicator of passenger transportation to EU countries last year became a record for the last decade and was ten times higher than in the last pre-war year.
- The most popular was the Kyiv-Warsaw flight, the demand for which is many times higher than the supply.
Therefore, despite all the criticism directed at Ukrzaliznytsia, it is important not to forget its achievements, significance and titanic work of a huge team.
What is invisible in collaborations at first glance
Everyone who cooperates with Ukrzaliznytsia benefits from this. This factor is undoubtedly confirmed by the scale and dynamics of cooperation. Therefore, it is important to understand that the vector of joint work should be aimed at the real improvement of this structure, and not just stating its problems. After all, behind these problems, a reliably established mechanism with professional and responsible people is often not visible.
Summing up
So, what are the principles of "UZ" changes and participation in these changes by all market participants. First of all, it is:
- Consolidation, not confrontation. We must understand that we are equally interested in improvement.
- Rejection of toxic criticism and depreciation. Instead, deep analytics and coordinated changes are needed.
- Searching for the existing positive and building around it the pillars on which the transformation of "Ukrzaliznytsia" will be supported in the future.
Only with this approach can criticism become a catalyst for the necessary changes, and not just a reason for hype.
In order to understand the importance of Ukrzaliznytsia, it is worth looking at it not only through the eyes of a business, but also through the eyes of a passenger who received not just a service, but the confidence that he is being taken care of in such a difficult time. Therefore, I would like market participants to also pick up this message as a call to action and join in seeing more of the positive in Ukrzaliznytsia, highlighting it and perceiving it as a resource for further positive transformation.
