The 5.5-year nightmare is over: metro line 3 in Budapest is now fully operational – pictures

The two remaining stations of Budapest’s metro line 3 were opened for the public on Monday, ending a comprehensive reconstruction that lasted five and a half years.

At the inauguration of the Lehel Square and Nagyvárad Square stations, wrapping up the project, Regional Development Minister Tibor Navracsics said the investment was an important one for Budapest, Hungary and the European Union, and an “embodiment” of cooperation between the three.

Mayor Gergely Karácsony thanked the government, the EU and all contributors of the project. The reconstruction was a challenge for the city, and hopefully citizens using the renewed, accessible facilities will think it was worth it, he said.

The reconstruction of metro line 3 has been completed with the inauguration of the stations at Nagyvárad tér and Lehel tér on Monday morning, and trains will be running on the entire line from early afternoon, stopping at all stations with accessibility.

The renovation of the M3 metro, the busiest railway line in the country, started in autumn 2017.

During the renovation, the infrastructure of the metro line was completely renewed, including new tracks and sidings, replacement of safety equipment and insulation of the tunnels.

The three-phase works started on 6 November 2017 with the closure of the northern section (between Újpest-központ and Dózsa György út stations), which was reopened to passengers on 30 March 2019.

Renovation of the southern section (between Népliget – Kőbánya-Kispest stations) took place from 6 April 2019 to 22 October 2020. In parallel, the reconstruction of the middle section (between Lehel tér and Nagyvárad tér stations) started in March 2020 at Arany János utca and Ferenciek tere stations.

Monday’s inauguration of the Nagyvárad tér and Lehel tér stations, which play a key role as a turning station, also marks the completion of works affecting passenger traffic.

The metro renovation cost 225 billion forints (EUR 600 million). According to BKV’s press release, the total amount of eligible funding to the EU is HUF 172.7 billion (EUR 460 million), while the domestic co-financing is HUF 44.7 billion (EUR 120 million)). The capital’s municipality contributed HUF 7.1 billion.

Surface transport will also change

Surface transport will also change slightly on the afternoon of 22 May, when the stations open. The M14 and M30 replacement services will no longer run, and from Tuesday 23 May, buses 34 and 106 will resume departing from and arriving at Göncz Árpád town centre. The signage of tram 1M will also change: from 1 June, trams will be signposted 1A, but will continue to run between Bécsi út / Vörösvári út and Népliget.

After metro line 3 upgrade, significant changes to come in the traffic system in downtown Budapest, details HERE.