Attention, commuters: Budapest’s “party tram” replaced by buses on several December nights!

Budapest’s Tram no. 6 will be temporarily replaced by buses on multiple nights this December due to scheduled maintenance, the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) has announced.

The replacement buses, operating under the same “6” route number, will run on the streets instead of the tram tracks, Hungarian News Agency MTI reported. Passengers should note that they will stop at designated roadside bus stops rather than the usual tram platforms.

The schedule for the replacement service is as follows:

• 30 November to 4 December
• 7 December to 11 December
• 14 December to 18 December
• 29 December, overnight from Monday to Tuesday

During these dates, services will run nightly from midnight to 4:00 AM.

Passengers heading towards Széll Kálmán tér (Széll Kálmán Square) should be aware that the replacement buses will not stop at Margitsziget. Meanwhile, the 931 bus travelling towards Pest will pick up passengers at a roadside stop near the Margit Bridge on the Buda side, instead of the tram platform.

The BKK advises commuters to check routes and allow extra travel time during these overnight periods to avoid delays. This temporary measure is part of BKK’s ongoing maintenance programme to ensure that Tram line 6 remains safe and reliable for daily passengers.

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23 new CAF trams in Budapest

In other tram news, Budapest’s modern fleet continues to expand. Following successful test runs and official inspections, the BKK has introduced its 23rd new low-floor CAF tram, further improving accessibility and comfort for passengers. The acquisition forms part of the EU-supported “51 CAF Trams for Budapest” project, co-financed by the Hungarian state, with a total non-repayable grant of HUF 54.15 billion (EUR 142 million). The newest trams primarily serve the 17, 56, and 56A lines, with the 24th vehicle already in Budapest and expected to enter service soon.

The introduction of these low-floor, air-conditioned, and accessible trams is gradually increasing the proportion of modern vehicles in the city from 30% to over 40%. The BKK plans to expand their presence on other key lines, including the 1, 3, 19, 42, 50, 61, and additional routes, pending the availability of necessary EU funding for infrastructure upgrades such as power supply improvements, terminal reconstruction, and new platforms. These developments aim to enhance travel comfort, support equal access, and promote environmentally friendly, energy-efficient public transport.

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