Great news: 30 electric buses arrive in Budapest to modernise public transport
The first electric buses set to renew the capital’s public transport fleet have arrived in Budapest. A total of 30 electric vehicles are currently awaiting preparation before entering service.
BKK’s new acquisitions set to enter service soon
By 2027, a total of 70 brand-new, fully electric buses—including 50 standard and 20 articulated vehicles—will be operational in Budapest, as part of an order placed by BKK. Equipped with state-of-the-art driver assistance systems, the articulated buses will serve routes across central and mid-Buda areas of the capital. Once deployed, Budapest will operate the country’s largest fleet of articulated electric buses.
One prototype BYD electric bus will be on public display during the Car-Free Weekend of European Mobility Week, held on 20–21 September, at the ArrivaBus stand in Kálvin Square.
Upgrades to the vehicle fleet introduced in recent years have already significantly improved the quality of public transport and, as a result, the air quality in Budapest. The Capital and BKK are committed to further enhancing environmental sustainability and increasing public transport usage.
Continual improvements to fleet standards
The standard of Budapest’s public transport fleet is seeing marked improvement thanks to the arrival of new, fully electric, low-floor, air-conditioned buses fitted with onboard cameras and modern assistance systems. The first 30 of these buses have already arrived in the capital. Under a service contract between BKK and its operator partner, ArrivaBus Kft., the electric buses are expected to begin operations by spring 2026, though they may enter service even earlier.
Before hitting the roads, the buses will undergo regulatory inspections and be equipped with specific systems such as GPS tracking (FUTÁR), ticket validators, surveillance cameras and passenger counters. Charging infrastructure tailored to these electric vehicles is also under development. Once completed, it will be tested in conjunction with the new buses. This modern system is designed to optimise overnight charging and align it with the buses’ morning departures and daily operations.
Drivers and maintenance staff will also need to familiarise themselves with the new vehicles, as their operation differs from existing buses. Drivers will receive training on efficient driving techniques and how to maximise energy recuperation during braking.
Cleaner air for Budapest thanks to electric buses
BKK Deputy CEO Ádám Bodor noted: “Two-thirds of journeys on the city’s public transport are already made using electric vehicles. However, increasing the number of electric buses remains a major challenge.” He added that the incoming fleet represents a major step forward. For the first time in Hungary, a significant number of articulated electric buses will operate in Budapest, giving the city the country’s largest such fleet.
The new electric vehicles aim to enhance passenger comfort and satisfaction. They also play a key role in promoting equal access, achieving climate goals, and improving energy efficiency.
By 2027, a total of 70 fully electric buses—50 standard and 20 articulated—purchased by ArrivaBus Kft. will be deployed across Budapest. In addition to these, 25 new low-floor diesel buses, also equipped with air conditioning, onboard cameras and modern passenger information systems, have recently entered service. More than 200 additional units are expected to arrive in several phases.
By 2027, nearly 90% of Budapest’s bus fleet will meet the EURO 5 standard or higher, drastically reducing pollutant emissions. This transformation is expected to cut harmful emissions in the city by nearly 8,000 tonnes annually.
Modern and comfortable buses on the way
The new electric buses are 100% low-floor vehicles, equipped with integrated camera systems and infrared sensor-controlled automatic doors. They also feature advanced assistance technologies such as blind spot detection, pedestrian, cyclist and reversing sensors, and driver fatigue monitoring. Their design includes spacious priority areas for wheelchair users or those with pushchairs and even allows for bicycle transport.
Like the recently introduced diesel buses, the electric models will also feature numerous USB ports, allowing passengers to charge phones or smart devices during their journey.
Visitors will get the chance to inspect one of the first BYD electric buses in person during the Car-Free Weekend, held as part of European Mobility Week on 20–21 September, between 10am and 6pm at Kálvin Square (full event details available on site).
The vehicles will commence service as soon as driver training and preparatory steps are completed, as outlined in the service contracts between BKK and its partners. However, they may enter operation earlier than scheduled. These electric buses will primarily serve key routes crossing inner districts and mid-Buda areas.
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And then they whine that Budapest is bankrupt. LOLZ!!!
Did you not get the memo that electric vehicles are vastly cheaper to run, both to fuel and maintain? BKK will save an absolute fortune by divesting of diesel buses.
To give you an example, in 5 years of running a (second hand) electric car the savings on fuel, servicing and tax means the car has now paid for itself. I’ve never had to visit a petrol station, it has had one low cost ‘service’ in that time, has never once gone wrong and at over 10 years old the battery still retains over 80% of the storage capacity it had when new. The brakes are factory original with no discernible wear.
Urban buses that ply fixed routes in densely populated areas with constant acceleration and braking are tailor made to transition to battery electric.
They have been a huge failur in Canada out West. Even after building SUPER expensive garages to keep them warm…FAIL. And a few days ago a school bus with driver & kids caught itself on fire.
Since the type of batteries they use are potential hazards, you can’t build your home now with the garage attached if you intend to store electic cars. And if trying to live off-grid, again, the shed for the batteries must be distant from your home. Insurance companies have a lot to say about these topics. I blv that there still needs to be work done on such alternatives. That said, my 43 yr old Mercedes Benz 300TD is no longer adequate for my needs, and an aquaintance who absolultely loves his Tesla keeps tempting me to go electric rather than diesel again. Problem is, our electricity is very expensive here, and in rural places, power goes out a lot in winter months as the winds off the ocean beside us tear power lines. So for your buses, things to consider…will they have the power to take fullly loaded runs from one end of the route to the other, will your winters play havoc….