Sensational: Budapest rolls out its first-ever on-demand bus service!
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Exceptionally passenger-friendly, innovative, and cost-effective—these are just a few ways to describe the new Route 274 “Csobajbusz”. The BKK’s new demand-responsive, flexible-route service is set to launch on Tuesday, 26 August, in Budapest’s 16th District.
This new bus line connects the previously hard-to-access Csobaj-bánya area to the city’s public transportation network. What makes this pilot project unique in Budapest is that within its flexible route zone, buses don’t travel along a fixed path; instead, they stop at designated pick-up and drop-off points based on user demand, BKK reports.
Route 274, branded as the “Csobajbusz,” will operate between the Cinkota HÉV station and the Csobaj-bánya area in District 16 starting Tuesday, 26 August. In recent years, this part of the district has seen significant residential and commercial development, including new homes, apartment buildings, shops, and public institutions like kindergartens. The new bus line allows locals to reach the Cinkota HÉV station more quickly and comfortably, and from there continue their journey into inner Budapest.
A first-of-its-kind service in Hungary
The service is a first in Hungary. The concept behind demand-responsive, flexible-route transportation is that passengers can access the service only by making a reservation in advance. Unlike conventional routes, buses don’t follow a fixed path; instead, they adjust their stops based on current travel requests within a designated service area.
Passengers can book their trips at csobajbusz.bkk.hu up to one week in advance—or at the latest, 30 minutes before departure. The reservation system for Route 274 will be live starting August 25 on the BKK website, with the first buses rolling out the following morning. In addition to the online platform, bookings can be made by phone—similar to Telebusz services—at +36 1 3 255 255. Passengers may also request rides in person directly from the driver at the Cinkota HÉV station, immediately before departure.
