Budapest launches new bus line: metrobus to ease travel for over 100,000 people!
From 13 December, residents of Pesterzsébet will gain a new, fast, and direct transport option: the launch of the 223E metrobus will allow more than 100,000 Budapest residents to reach the city centre without changing lines. The new service from the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) will run to Kálvin Square, offering convenient connections to Metro lines 3 and 4.
The new metrobus
In a Facebook post, Mayor Gergely Karácsony emphasised that, in line with the February announcement, the city has spent the past six months preparing the metrobus concept for implementation. Based on data-driven analyses, the BKK identified areas where faster, more frequent, and more efficient bus services could improve local transport. As part of the public transport network development strategy, metrobuses will operate along these corridors, the Mayor noted.
The 223E route will run from Boráros Square via Közraktár Street, Fővám Square, and Vámház Boulevard to Kálvin Square, returning along the same route to Pesterzsébet. As part of the development, a new bus lane will be created between Boráros Square and Bakáts Street, while more comfortable stops will be introduced along the city-centre section, including Kálvin Square and Ferenc Boulevard, Turizmus.com reports.
The metrobus will operate from 04:30 to 23:50, providing extended hours of service.
Two-thirds of Budapest residents live in outer districts
In a Facebook post, Podmaniczky Movement faction leader Dávid Vitézy highlighted that one of the city’s past mistakes was insufficient attention to the problems of outer districts, despite two-thirds of Budapest residents living there. He noted that the extended route of the 223E metrobus will save many passengers a transfer and provide a direct connection to central destinations.
Gergely Karácsony added that medium- and long-term solutions remain tied to rail-based developments, such as trains, suburban rail (HÉV), metro, and trams, although these are lengthy and costly projects. In the meantime, residents of outer districts will benefit from improvements to the bus and trolley networks, and the BKK is working to enable similar express routes from other outer districts.
500-forint winter Bubi pass coming
Alongside transport developments, the BKK will also introduce a new winter MOL Bubi bike pass until 23 December, according to the MOL Bubi Facebook page. Current passes can be purchased until 22 November, after which the new 500-forint pass will provide the most affordable cycling option in the city.