Great news! BKK to fully overhaul ticket machine network in Budapest

The Budapest Transport Center (BKK) is set to completely revamp its network of ticket and pass vending machines.

The company has completed the required public procurement procedure, and the Metropolitan Assembly has allocated the necessary funding, paving the way for the project to begin later this year, BKK announced.

BKK ticket machines to be upgraded

According to the statement, technical issues with BKK ticket and pass vending machines have noticeably increased in recent months, underscoring the urgent need to upgrade the aging machines, which have been in service for over a decade.

The statement says that most of the malfunctions occur in the printer units, which are especially sensitive to weather conditions. In rainy, humid weather or during extreme temperature fluctuations, paper jams become more frequent, rendering machines temporarily unusable. Although the operator continuously works to fix these issues, it is common for the same machine to break down again shortly after a repair.

“These persistent technical problems are caused by the outdated machine fleet and worn-out hardware equipment. A comprehensive modernisation of the machines is the only long-term solution, as not only the printers but also the bill and coin handlers, as well as the card terminals, need to be replaced.”

The project, set to launch in 2025, will involve upgrades to existing machines and the installation of brand-new, modern units at the busiest locations. At Deák Ferenc Square and Oktogon, new-generation machines with large screens are already being tested. A total of 35 new units will replace old ones, with the full network overhaul expected to be completed in 2026.

The statement also highlighted that BKK tickets and passes are available not only through vending machines but also via the BudapestGO system and at BKK customer service centers.

Bus schedule changes in Újbuda this weekend

Service changes are coming to Újbuda this weekend for bus routes 107 and 133E, as a section of District XI—bounded by Szent Gellért Square, Budafoki Road, and the Műegyetem Riverside—will be closed from Friday through Sunday due to an event, BKK told MTI on Wednesday.

The announcement detailed that on Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday until 4 p.m., the 107 bus heading toward BudaPart will take a detour, avoiding Műegyetem Riverside and instead traveling along Budafoki Road, Karinthy Frigyes Road, and Irinyi József Street. At Szent Gellért Square, it will stop at the 133E bus stop, at the Buda side of Petőfi Bridge in the 153 bus stop on Irinyi József Street.

On Saturday, both directions will be rerouted all day along the route of Bartók Béla Road–Móricz Zsigmond Square–Karinthy Frigyes Road–Irinyi József Street. Toward BudaPart, it will stop at Szent Gellért Square in the 7 bus stop, at Móricz Zsigmond Square next to Metro Line M4, at Budafoki Road/Karinthy Frigyes Road in the 33 bus stop, and at the Buda side of Petőfi Bridge in the 153 bus stop. Toward Keleti Railway Station, it will stop at Móricz Zsigmond Square next to tram 6, at Gárdonyi Square, and at Szent Gellért Square in the 7 bus stop.

Bus 133E will also be rerouted from Friday at 8 p.m. until Saturday at 8 p.m., running along Karinthy Frigyes Road and Bartók Béla Road. During this time, it will stop in both directions at the 7 bus stop at Szent Gellért Square, and heading toward Nagytétény, it will also stop at the 33 bus stop at Budafoki Road/Karinthy Frigyes Road.

Read more BKK-related news on Daily News Hungary!

Read also:

• BKK launches innovative on-demand bus service in Budapest
• Express trams to commute in Budapest from next week
• Budapest unveils major metro and suburban railway development

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