Bad news from Budapest transport company: almost the entire M3 metro line will be closed by summer

The M3 metro will run every day from Saturday 18 June to mid-August only on the northern section between Újpest-központ and Göncz Árpád city centre. 

From 18 June, from Saturday until mid-August, M3 metro trains will run daily only between Újpest centre and Göncz Árpád city centre, and between Göncz Árpád city centre and Kőbánya-Kispest with the M3 replacement bus. On weekdays, the M3A shuttle bus also helps the service between Göncz Árpád city centre and Határ út.

Replacement buses run at very high frequencies, more than 1 minute during peak periods, and more than 100 articulated, accessible, air-conditioned buses are used.

As the metro replacement buses on the extended route to South Pest also stop at Nagyvárad Square, the M30 station replacement service will not run during this period.

From the area around Nagyvárad Square, the city centre can be reached directly by the metro bus service between Göncz Árpád city centre and Kőbánya-Kispest.

BKK also recommends using trams 1 and 1M between Göncz Árpád city centre and Népliget during this phase of the renovation.

In both the northern and the southern parts of the city, the alternative transport services will continue to run unchanged during this period.

The M3 metro is Hungary’s busiest railway line and its renovation has become unpredictable in recent years.

After the reconstruction project by BKV, the people of Budapest will have a renewed, completely barrier-free line that will help make Budapest a more liveable place.

In order to ensure the smooth running of the replacement buses, the former bus lanes will be restored on Üllői út between Nagyvárad tér and Határ út, in addition to the ones previously designated, so motorists should be prepared for a change in traffic patterns. For the duration of the metro replacement, which will also be extended to the southern section, Vak Bottyán Street in Kispest will be closed to car traffic between Határ út and Lehel utca, where only replacement buses will be allowed to enter, except for the destination traffic.

The Budapest Transport Centre asks for the patience and understanding of the public in connection with the works, which will continue until spring 2023. All the latest information on the renovation is available on the BKK website.

Underground, Deák Square renovation

Between 18 June and mid-August, the M1 underground at Deák Ferenc Square will also be renovated, so the underground station can only be accessed from Erzsébet Square.

Népliget customer centre

The Népliget customer centre is temporarily closed due to renovation. BKK recommends customers to buy mobile tickets and various season tickets, which are also available in Budapest GO. The nearest customer centres to Népliget are located at Deák Ferenc tér and Kőbánya-Kispest.

Source: MTI