BREAKING: Austria detaches Hungarian trains of Western railway network

ÖBB, the Austrian railway company, is to detach all Hungarian direct trains from the Western European network because of the excessive delays. The firm warned the Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) multiple times, but they could not solve the problem. Therefore, all passengers must get off the trains in Vienna and embark on another. The measure affects multiple routes to German and Austrian cities.

According to Dávid Vitézy, Hungary’s former transport secretary and PM Orbán’s distant relative, the reason why Austria detaches all Hungarian trains from the Western railway network is the pathetic operation of MÁV. As we wrote earlier, János Lázár, Hungary’s transport and construction minister, ordered a quick railway renovation on the Budapest-Vienna line between Biatorbágy and Szárliget.

However, we wrote HERE that the total closure of the aforementioned segment will only happen between 27 October and 17 November. Before and after that, one of the two railway lines is operable. Therefore, international trains could have commuted between Budapest and Linz, Salzburg or Munich.

But MÁV was unable to operate the international trains without delays in the first two weeks of the closure. ÖBB warned the Hungarian partners several times, but the state-owned railway company could not solve the problems. As a result, they announced today unilaterally that they detach all Hungarian trains from the Western European railway system. That means the direct connection between Budapest and Munich, Linz or Salzburg ends. Passengers will have to change trains in Vienna. That is because Austria wants their trains to commute, sticking to their timetables.

Read also:

• Further adjustments at MÁV: several railway timetables to change – Read more HERE
• Budapest–Belgrade railway in big trouble, PM Orbán travels to Bejing to find a solution

Mr Vitézy argues it is surprising that MÁV could not operate international trains (1 in every hour) on the line while no other trains are commuting there. All other trains are currently substituted by replacement buses. He believes that MÁV did not intend to solve the problem or neglected to do so. He added that the institutional and professional control over MÁV ceased.

According to the statement of ÖBB, Budapest trains will not commute to Munich, Linz or Salzburg from Monday (2 October) and this will remain in effect until 26 October.