You’ll soon be able to charge your phone on Budapest bus services: New electric buses to hit the streets!
Budapest may see the arrival of its new electric BYD buses even earlier than planned, potentially from the beginning of December, according to Mayor Gergely Karácsony. The trial run will start on 17 November on routes 105 and 210, giving drivers and maintenance staff enough time to familiarise themselves with the fleet.
A new, modern electric fleet arrives
By 2027, a total of 82 new electric buses – 58 standard and 24 articulated vehicles – will enter service in Budapest, operated by ArrivaBus Kft. The city leadership aims to further increase the share of electric vehicles in public transport, as two-thirds of all journeys on Budapest’s network are already made on such vehicles, the mayor noted in his Facebook post.
The arrival of the articulated models marks a particularly significant development: uniquely in Hungary, Budapest will soon boast the country’s largest articulated electric bus fleet.
Comfortable, modern and fully accessible vehicles
The new BYD buses offer a higher level of passenger comfort and modern features than ever before. They are:
- low-floor and fully accessible,
- equipped with air conditioning,
- fitted with blind-spot monitoring, cyclist and pedestrian detection systems, and a driver fatigue monitoring system,
- providing multiple USB charging points for passengers,
- offering a spacious priority area for wheelchair users and prams,
- suitable for carrying bicycles.
Their advanced charging system optimises both overnight charging and daytime operation, making energy use and vehicle availability more efficient.
Soon to enter regular service
According to the mayor, the purpose of the trial run is to ensure that staff are fully prepared, as the new models operate differently from the current fleet. If all goes well, the new buses could begin carrying passengers on routes 105 and 210 from early December.
Free travel on BKK services over Gubacsi Bridge to end
Pedestrian access across the Gubacsi Bridge between Pesterzsébet and Csepel has now been restored, meaning the temporary free travel option between the Papírgyár and Sósfürdő stops will end from Monday, 17 November, BKK announced.
The pedestrian walkway on the bridge was closed in July after part of the structure gave way. To ensure a safe crossing, Budapest Közút has since created a new pedestrian crossing at the Csepel side of the bridge. As a result, from 17 November, the free travel option on public transport services will be discontinued. The measure affects routes 35, 36, 148, 151 and 948.
