Budapest’s suburban rail line finally gets a green light – But critics say the upgrade is actually a downgrade

A long-awaited development of Budapest’s suburban railway network is finally moving forward: the government has approved the renovation of the Szentendre (H5) HÉV line and decided on the “rationalisation of the project’s technical content.”

Progress announced – but not everything is going according to plan

According to a government decree published in the Magyar Közlöny, the public procurement process for construction can now begin. However, the document does not specify any precise deadlines or total investment costs.

János Lázár, Minister for Construction and Transport, had already promised during the summer that the H5 line would be the first to undergo a complete overhaul, including both the track and the stations.

MÁV (Hungarian State Railways) is planning to purchase 54 new, modern, low-floor trains, the first 18 of which are expected to arrive by the end of 2029.

The project will also receive EU funding, which makes meeting deadlines especially important. According to MÁV CEO Zsolt Hegyi, this could mark a major milestone, as the Szentendre line is one of Hungary’s busiest suburban rail routes.

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Dávid Vitézy voices concerns over Budapest’s suburban railways

However, as reported by Infostart, the announcement has sparked significant controversy. Dávid Vitézy, former Secretary of State for Transport and former head of the Budapest Development Centre, criticised the decision, arguing that the so-called “rationalisation” in fact means a downgrade. The new trains, he says, will be shorter, have fewer seats and doors, yet come at a higher price.

Vitézy pointed out that while the previous tender specified 120-metre-long trains capable of carrying 700 passengers, the new plan only calls for 110-metre units with space for 650 passengers – all at a 17% higher cost.