Some 30 Stadler FLIRT trains have become inoperable due to the extreme heat, and it is not yet clear how the situation will end, Minister of Transport and Investment Dávid Vitézy said on Tuesday.
MÁV’s modern trains inoperable
Vitézy said on Facebook that the Swiss company’s trains are among the most modern, air-conditioned units in national railways MAV’s fleet. He added that they have also been one of the most-purchased railway vehicles in Europe in the past twenty years, “but even these modern cars cannot withstand the current extreme heat.”
When the vehicles were procured, the technical requirements set for the manufacturer typically called for reliable operation up to an outside temperature of 35 Celsius degrees, he said. In recent days, however, temperatures exceeding 40 degrees have been recorded in several parts of the country, he added.
Vitézy said that climate change called for even more resources to be allocated to public transport and specifically to the development of railways, “which is the most sustainable form of transport”.
According to MÁV, the metal roof structures of the trains and some of their interior spaces essential for operation reach temperatures of 60–70°C under the scorching sun.
Update – FLIRT trains back in service after heatwave disruption
FLIRT trains resumed service on Wednesday morning after extreme heat forced their systems to shut down, Transport and Investment Minister David Vitezy said in a Facebook post. The trains began to “come back to life” on Tuesday evening as temperatures dropped below 38C, Vitezy said. The heat had triggered safety systems to halt battery charging, preventing the trains from restarting after stops. In some cases, battery cell temperatures exceeded 70C, he added. The manufacturer, Stadler, is working on a solution. Newer KISS trains, also made by the Swiss manufacturer, did not experience the issue.
The incident highlights Hungary’s lack of preparedness for the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves, which can cause unexpected disruptions, Vitezy said. Future vehicle designs must account for extreme weather becoming the norm, he added.
“Let there be no doubt: while humanity has failed to slow climate change, adapting to hotter and more extreme weather is now unavoidable. This requires more resources, preparation, patience, and sacrifice — not just in the distant future, but today. And in this context, a well-functioning train temporarily shut down for safety reasons is still one of the mildest consequences, however frustrating it may be,” Vitezy said, thanking passengers for their patience and expressing hope that temperatures would not reach 38-40C again on Wednesday.
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