We might soon travel on Chinese super trains in Hungary!
In recent months, several reports have surfaced suggesting that Hungary’s national railway company MÁV (Hungarian State Railways), is using various strategies to mask train delays—among them, renumbering certain services so they vanish from public tracking systems. But Zsolt Hegyi, CEO of the MÁV-Volán Group, emphasized on ATV’s morning show Start that no intentional deception is at play. According to Hegyi, this is ‘a system glitch, not a feature.’
“This isn’t a strategy—it’s a bug,” Hegyi said, adding that train renumbering occurs rarely and only for operational reasons, not as a widespread practice. He stressed that delays can’t be hidden since passengers experience them firsthand. Moreover, since passengers are automatically entitled to compensation for delayed trains, manipulating delay data would serve no purpose, ATV reports.
New trains and long-term development
Hegyi also spoke about efforts to modernize MÁV’s fleet, emphasizing that replacements alone aren’t enough—ongoing investment and development are also essential. In the short term, 11 new GYSEV InterCity trains are scheduled to be added, and modern trainsets from China have also been purchased. These Chinese trains have already proven effective in other European countries like Austria and the Czech Republic. A critical factor in selecting the supplier was the delivery schedule, as few manufacturers can fulfill orders within two to three years.
Hegyi noted that while several large-scale projects are underway, many will take years to complete. In the meantime, the rail system needs to remain operational, so maintenance receives heightened attention.
Track renovation and financing
On the topic of infrastructure modernization, Hegyi stated that the loan agreement with the European Investment Bank requires all funds to be spent on real development projects. The bank has thoroughly reviewed MÁV’s project portfolio. According to the CEO, both new investments and regular maintenance are crucial, as they ensure operational safety and uninterrupted service.
Extra focus on high-traffic routes
Hegyi also addressed the renovation of the M1 highway between Budapest and Bábolna, which is expected to drive up rail traffic in the region. In response, MÁV will closely monitor seat reservations and, if needed, deploy longer trains to maintain passenger comfort. He concluded that while there are no overnight miracles in railway development, the goal is steady, sustainable progress that balances passenger needs, safety, and economic feasibility.
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Hungary is already too reliant on China. We must not forget that China is an enemy of the west, they have a very racist government, and they want to dominate the world. Genocide often follows them. It is suicidal to allow them into the country. Hungary should manufacture its own trains or at least not get them from a ln empire.