The long-delayed demolition of abandoned railway workers’ housing in Budapest’s Rákosrendező district could begin soon after the state-owned railway company MÁV reached an agreement with the Budapest Municipality.

Transport and Investment Minister Dávid Vitézy announced that MÁV has now granted all the necessary approvals for the capital to intervene on the problematic properties, where illegal occupants have moved into empty buildings and public safety concerns have escalated in recent years.

According to Vitézy, he has already discussed the next steps with Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony, expressing hope that demolition work can start in the near future.

Years of delays blamed on previous government

Vitézy said the breakthrough removes an obstacle that had prevented the implementation of demolition plans approved by the Budapest Assembly. He argued that the previous government, led by former Construction and Transport Minister János Lázár, had blocked progress despite earlier decisions to clear the site.

“The previous government and János Lázár left behind a serious legacy,” Vitézy wrote, adding that the current administration’s task is to resolve the problems both at Rákosrendező and at the planned new Transport Museum.

Problems began after abandoned redevelopment project

According to the minister, the current situation stems from an earlier redevelopment plan for Rákosrendező that envisioned a major investment involving Arab investors. To prepare the site, MÁV began vacating railway workers’ housing and also removed storage facilities belonging to the Hungarian Transport Museum.

However, the large-scale investment never materialised, while the City of Budapest later purchased the area. The abandoned residential buildings subsequently became occupied by squatters, and local residents have repeatedly complained about serious public safety issues in the neighbourhood.

Police have already stepped up operations

The announcement comes shortly after the government introduced a 30-day enhanced policing operation across parts of Budapest. Rákosrendező has been identified as one of the priority locations, alongside busy city-centre areas and entertainment districts.

According to police, recent operations in the area have resulted in the arrest of wanted individuals, suspected drug dealers selling the synthetic drug known as “crystal”, and people accused of illegally occupying abandoned buildings.

If you missed it: Budapest launches month-long police crackdown despite shortage of more than 2,000 officers

Transport Museum project also back on track

Vitézy linked the Rákosrendező issue to the future of the Hungarian Transport Museum. He said that after museum storage facilities were cleared from the Tatai Street site, many valuable historical vehicles and artefacts were transferred to the former Northern Railway Repair Depot (Északi Járműjavító), where they are currently stored in inadequate conditions.

Recent photographs published by Hungarian media showed museum exhibits kept in a deteriorating building where falling plaster, dust, rodents, pigeons and stray cats threaten irreplaceable historical objects.

Among the items reportedly stored there are the historic Junkers aircraft of King Charles IV and numerous unique railway and automotive artefacts.

Calling the situation “unacceptable”, Vitézy said the government has decided to revive plans for a permanent new Hungarian Transport Museum at the Northern Railway Repair Depot: a project that had previously been halted.

Focus now on implementation

If demolition work begins as expected, it would mark one of the first major steps towards addressing the long-standing problems at Rákosrendező. The minister said the government also intends to examine how previous decisions led to the current situation, while working with the capital to restore order in the area and preserve Hungary’s transport heritage.

What’s next? Mayor Karácsony reacts to public safety concerns: Budapest to step up police presence