Photos: Budapest bids farewell to iconic Ikarus 412 buses with four-day capital tour
After more than 25 years of service, the Ikarus 412 buses are set to leave Budapest’s streets. Between the two holidays, the last two vehicles being retired will briefly return to their former routes for a day each, the BKV Zrt. announced on Friday.
Farewell to the iconic Ikarus 412
The company noted that when the Ikarus 412 entered service in 1999, it marked a milestone: it was the first widely procured low-floor bus in Budapest, significantly improving accessibility and passenger comfort. For 26 years, the type was a defining presence in the BKV bus fleet.
In recent years, thanks to the company’s acquisitions, more modern and advanced buses have joined the capital’s fleet. As a result, the 412s became increasingly rare in the city centre, and by late autumn, only two fully operational units remained in service. Now, the time has come for the type’s final retirement.
Ikarus 412 tour schedule
To mark the occasion, BKV is organising a four-day farewell tour over the holiday period. From 27 to 30 December, one of the 412s will appear on routes it previously served for a day each. The schedule is as follows:
- 27 December (Saturday): Route 67
- 28 December (Sunday): Route 15
- 29 December (Monday): Routes 178 and 216
- 30 December (Tuesday): Route 26
Detailed timetables will be available on BudapestGO’s online platforms.
The farewell programme will culminate on 30 December, when the two retiring 412s (BPO-221 and BPO-236) operate on Route 26 alongside BPI-007 from the BKV nostalgia fleet, a bus restored to its original 1999 condition. In addition, the other remaining Ikarus model in Budapest, the Ikarus E91—which was only ever operated in small numbers and for a short period—will also make its final appearance on Route 251.
BKV added that Ikarus buses have long shaped the image of Budapest, and many still hold a fondness for the type. To mark the farewell, the company is offering the public the chance to photograph the iconic buses together. After completing their daily services, the three 412s and the E91 can be photographed together at around 9 PM on Margaret Island, near the Centenary Memorial.
The company also urges those photographing the buses in service to remain mindful of each other, passengers, and overall safety while travelling.