BREAKING NEWS: Budapest and the Government reach agreement on new public transport season tickets

Hundreds of thousands of passengers have been following closely the skirmishes between the Government and the Budapest management. For a long time, it appeared unlikely that an agreement would be reached; however, it now appears that a passenger-friendly deal has been sealed.

Today, János Lázár, the Minister of Construction and Transport, and Gergely Karácsony, the Mayor of Budapest, met up and forged a completely new, comprehensive agreement regarding the dynamics of public transport in Budapest and the conurbation.

According to the press release, this agreement will make public transport more affordable and convenient for hundreds of thousands of passengers.

Key highlights of the agreement include:

• The Budapest season ticket extends its validity across the capital on MÁV, Volán, HÉV trains, in addition to BKK.
• Starting 1 March 2024, the monthly season ticket for Pest County and the national season ticket will be applicable on BKK lines. Both parties will facilitate the sale of these passes through their respective sales channels.
• Instead of cost-based accounting, which has been the subject of much controversy, the parties will now proportionally share the revenue from the Budapest season ticket, Pest county season ticket and the national season ticket, along with the related fare supplement, based on the specificities of the area of validity.
• Starting in 2024, the parties commit to implementing an accounting system aimed at covering the costs of public transport in Budapest and the agglomeration not covered by revenue.

The ministry and the capital will also settle the settlement disputes over the previous agglomeration agreement, which expired at the end of last year. As a result of the new, comprehensive agreement, the Municipality of Budapest will pay HUF 5.57 billion to MÁV as agglomeration cost compensation for 2022-2023.

The settlement of disputes over the expired agglomeration agreement from the previous year will involve the Municipality of Budapest paying HUF 5.57 billion (EUR 14,305,441) to MÁV for agglomeration cost compensation for 2022-2023.

Read also:

• Budapest mayor withdraws public transport changes in the capital
• Bus drivers’ strike continues in Hungary on Monday, with many bus services cancelled – details HERE

The technical details of this agreement will be worked out between the Ministry and the municipality, with the involvement of the transport companies, so that it can enter into force on 1 March 2024.

Tourists will notably benefit, as they will now be able to travel on all means of public transport within Budapest for the whole month with a Pest County monthly pass (9450 HUF/24.23 EUR), which will also be valid for trains and buses across the county.

UPDATE

Minister Lázár lauded the deal as ensuring a “simpler, better, and fairer” system compared to the previous one. While the Budapest pass will continue to hold validity throughout the capital, with BKK now accepting the Pest County pass and the national pass, the minister said on Facebook after the agreement had been signed.

He added that the agreement also serves as a model for all rural settlements and paves the way for a “national tariff community”.

Commuters from outside Budapest can now utilise a national pass for travel on Budapest public transport, while commuters from the agglomeration can enjoy more cost-effective travel, he said.

In addition, Budapest residents can traverse the city and beyond with a single county pass.