The Budapest–Belgrade railway has completed its most extensive test yet, with trains running at speeds of up to 160 km/h under conditions designed to simulate a normal peak-hour timetable. The test brings the long-awaited launch of passenger services another step closer.
The latest test on the Hungarian section of the Budapest–Belgrade railway was successfully completed over the weekend, Transport and Investment Minister Dávid Vitézy announced on Sunday.
During the overnight trial, trains operated for several hours according to the timetable planned for daytime peak periods. The main difference from normal passenger operations was that there were no passengers on board. Engineers also simulated various disruptions and examined how the railway’s systems would respond to unexpected traffic situations.
One of the most important elements under examination was the European Train Control System, or ETCS, which is essential for ensuring safe passenger operations at speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour.
According to Vitézy, the system performed well during the test, marking another important milestone before passenger trains can begin operating on the route.
Passenger information system still needs work
The tests did, however, reveal problems with the passenger information systems, which did not perform at the required level. These will still have to be corrected before the railway can fully enter service.
MÁV, Hungary’s state-owned railway company, has previously stressed that there is no fixed political deadline for the launch of passenger services. According to the company, operations will only begin once the ETCS testing programme has been successfully completed and the required safety checks have been carried out.
Budapest–Belgrade journey could take just three and a half hours
Once passenger services begin along the full route, the new railway is expected to significantly shorten journey times between the Hungarian and Serbian capitals.
According to MÁV, the journey between Budapest and Belgrade could fall from around eight hours to approximately three and a half hours.
Domestic passengers are also expected to benefit. Long-distance journeys between Budapest and Kelebia could become around an hour shorter, while commuters travelling towards the capital from the southern suburbs could save as much as 20 minutes.
The project involved rebuilding the existing Hungarian railway line, constructing a second track and installing new signalling, safety and station infrastructure.
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Trains could run every 15 minutes on part of the line
MÁV plans significantly more frequent suburban services once the upgraded line is fully operational. Trains between Budapest and Kunszentmiklós-Tass could run every 30 minutes, while services from Délegyháza could operate as frequently as every 15 minutes.
The railway company estimates that passenger numbers on the line could eventually rise to as much as four times the levels recorded in recent years.
The upgraded railway is also expected to increase freight capacity and strengthen rail connections between Central Europe, Serbia and transport routes further south.
The latest successful test does not yet mean passengers can board trains between Budapest and Belgrade immediately. However, with trains now operating at 160 km/h under conditions closely resembling a real peak-hour timetable, the project has moved considerably closer to its long-awaited passenger launch.
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