Hungary now has the oldest railway rolling stock in Europe, according to a recent study cited by Transport and Investment Minister Dávid Vitézy, who says decades of underinvestment have left the country’s train network lagging far behind its regional neighbours.
In a Facebook post published on Saturday, Vitézy described the findings as “scandalous” and argued that years of cancelled railway procurements and delayed investments have created a problem that will take many years to reverse.
Hungary tops Europe’s unwanted ranking
Referring to research by the Hungarian economic research institute GKI, Vitézy said the average age of railway vehicles in Hungary is now 42 years: the highest in Europe. He contrasted the figure with neighbouring countries:
- Romania: 32 years
- Poland: 25 years
- Slovakia: 22 years
- Czechia: 20 years
According to the minister, the gap highlights not just ageing trains but decades of missed strategic investment.
“Railway development requires long-term planning and decisions prepared years in advance,” he wrote, arguing that other European countries recognised long ago that rail transport is a strategic national priority.
Vitézy blames predecessor Lázár János
Vitézy directly criticised his predecessor, former transport minister János Lázár, accusing him of severely damaging Hungary’s railway development by suspending or cancelling procurement projects and infrastructure investments, including during his final days in office.
The minister argued that the consequences extend far beyond passenger comfort. Operating increasingly outdated trains, he said, reduces the competitiveness of rail transport compared with road travel, despite rail being the more sustainable option economically and environmentally. He added that the issue has broader implications for regional development, economic competitiveness and climate policy.
Government plans major fleet renewal
Vitézy said the current government intends to modernise Hungary’s railway system using European Union funding that has recently become available again. According to the minister, the government plans to spend EUR 1.8 billion on new rolling stock, including:
- new suburban trains for Budapest’s HÉV network;
- 35 double-decker electric multiple units.
He said these purchases alone will significantly reduce the average age of Hungary’s railway fleet.
Goal is a long-term transformation
Vitézy stressed that replacing ageing trains is only part of the government’s wider strategy. The long-term objective, he said, is to ensure Hungary keeps pace with the railway renaissance taking place across Europe by creating a modern, reliable and competitive rail system after what he described as decades of strategic neglect.
Have you read? Transport minister signs EU funding contract: Budapest tram expansion and new InterCity trains move ahead!
Yeah, but on Hungary’s trains you’re not going to get stabbed, raped, robbed, violently assaulted, or blown up. I’ll take that over spanking new cars with U.S.B. chargers and whatnot any day of the week.
It would also be just great if the trains would run on time. I often take my dog to Rakoshegy from Keleti, and the train from Keleti did not depart on time not one single instance so far, out of 30-40 times I made the trip. Not once. First stop, always leaves late. That’s not a problem of old rolling stock, folks.
Whatever makes you think that new rolling stock precludes rail-passenger safety ? An extraordinary disconnect from linear thought.
Wipe your face, Michael. The froth has collected in the corners of your mouth again.
Thanks for your bullshit again, take the next advice of jumping from some tower 😂😂😂
you will save us from your shit
Steiner Michael.
Should climb the Water Tower and “take a jump”.
Leave the dog downstairs but don’t forget to check your Russian made parachute is SAFE. ///
As a Hungarian American I agree 100% the trains is Hungary need attention and upgrades as soon as possible. I’m hopeful that Peter Magyar will make this happen.
I use the train service often. There are some trains that are a bit run down. But most of them are perfectly fine.
But people need to realise that new trains will mean higher ticket prices.
Or is this just Magyar dishing out contracts to EU companies at the instruction of Brussels?
So if you improve anything in Hungary you must be doing it on “the instruction of Brussels”? Tell us Bruce should we be buying more Russian carriages like Fidesz forced on the Budapest Metro that have faulty air conditioning or Chinese trains? We are part of the EU so what is your problem with making contracts with our fellow EU countries? Someohow that does not follow the traitor ideology of the Fidesz kleptocrats we kicked out.
NEVER forget that in the (20) twenty years under the Victor mihaly. Orban – REGIME Government of Hungary, what THEY STOLE from us individually in our millions and as a country that SHOULD have been injected into the MEED’s of improvement to Public Transportation in Hungary but ended – in the “greased palms” – in the FATENING of the Orban led Fidesz Government there POCKET’s.
Education – Schools and University’s , Hospitals – Public NEED’s of Services – as is Transportation = never was INVESTED truly into by the Orban led “mob” Government.
PAID for the provision of, under normal DEMOCRATIC Governments – from the taxes paid of a population – improvements – the expansion of SERVICES – but in the case of Hungary, over the (20) twenty years of the Orban led “Mob” – it grows in knowledge – like in funding received from the European Union that they MISAPPROPRIATED – the Orban “mob” came out the winners and overall, and we, the citizens, the tax payers – the BIG Time – LOSERS.
In our, in SOLIDARITY the Seeking of Justice – just another example on a gargantuan sized list, the subject of this article – will be asked for EXPLANATION from the Victor Mihaly, Orban – MOB – for an explanation of WHAT happened to ALL our MONEY and why this RATING which is quite HUMILIATING on us, as a country.
WHAT happened to our money ?
The Belgrad – Budapest – new Rail line – the new Silk Road in the meeting of the east with the west – our MONEY – what was spent to “impress” the Chinese – who are the MAJOR Bankers in this project ???
Many, many, many un-answered questions that NEED answers that HIGHLIGHT the exercising – the practice of Greed, of Selfishness on us as individual Hungarians, and on that of our country Hungary in being EXPLOITED – cheated on, abused, that acts of “Treason” that are being DEEPLY investigated – by the Victor Mihaly. Orban – “Mob” – who SOLD us OUT – disgraced and humiliated the proud name of our country Hungary – with European and Global country’s – that are GOVERNED under DEMOCRACY.