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Hungarian town makes local bus services free due to severe winter weather
In response to extreme winter conditions, Székesfehérvár’s local bus services will be free of charge from Saturday, 10 January, until the end of service on Monday, 12 January.
Local bus services are free in Székesfehérvár
The announcement came directly from Mayor András Cser-Palkovics on his Facebook page. He explained that the decision was prompted by heavy snow, freezing rain, and generally unpredictable weather expected over the coming days.
“The fewer cars on the road, the more efficiently snowploughs can operate, and most importantly, the lower the risk of accidents,” the mayor wrote. He encouraged residents to leave their vehicles at home and take advantage of the free public transport.
The measure is part of a trend in Hungary, with Szombathely also offering free public transport on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday due to similar weather conditions, as confirmed by Mayor András Nemény, Telex reported.
Severe weather alerts in southern Hungary
According to HungaroMet Zrt., on Friday morning, parts of Zala and Somogy counties were under a second-degree (orange) alert due to freezing rain. By early afternoon, the warning escalated to red for areas in Somogy, Baranya, and Zala counties, where prolonged ice formation exceeding five millimetres was expected.
Meteorologists predict that from Friday morning, precipitation will move in from the west-northwest. While northern areas may see lighter snowfall of 4–5 centimetres, the southern third of the country is at higher risk of persistent freezing rain, particularly in southwestern Somogy and Baranya counties, where significant ice accumulation is forecast.
Public transport guidance
Residents of Székesfehérvár are advised to check MÁVINFORM for updates on bus schedules and traffic changes during the free service period. The move aims to reduce road congestion, improve snow-clearing efficiency, and enhance safety for all commuters.