Attention: Major change in Hungarian rail travel
MÁV-Start’s S76 trains between Pilisvörösvár and Rákos will operate without ticket inspectors, on an experimental basis, from 7 April, the railway company told the Hungarian News Agency (MTI) on Saturday.
Rail travel changes on an important route
They said that after a two-month trial and evaluation process, it is expected that the system will be extended to a number of other suburban and rural lines. Random ticket checks will continue on trains, they added.
“The new fare and discount system introduced on 1 March has significantly simplified the ticketing and travel process, eliminating the need for ticket inspectors to be present on trains at all times,” the statement reads. It also said that a decision to extend the measure would be taken on the basis of current experience and, if necessary, “fine-tuned” beforehand.
A similar solution is common in Western Europe and in some countries in the region, the railway company noted.
Engine drivers to have more tasks than before
They also pointed out that the modernisation will impose more tasks on engine drivers than before: “They will be responsible for providing live verbal passenger information via the public address system in the event of an emergency or a stop for traffic reasons”.
In addition, drivers will be responsible for checking the safe boarding and alighting of passengers through the use of rear-view mirrors and the camera system, and for assisting disabled passengers or passengers with reduced mobility to board or alight by operating wheelchair lifting equipment.
The communication stressed that the safety of passengers is the most important. In this context, they said that passengers should be aware of the emergency call buttons next to the doors, which they can use to contact the driver in the event of an incident.
It will not be cheap to travel without a valid travel document
It was pointed out that between Pilisvörösvár and Rákos there are ticket offices or ticket machines at the stations and stops, and the use of the MÁV app was recommended.
During the first month of the test period, until 5 May, the railway company will charge a surcharge of HUF 2,600 (EUR 6.66) in addition to the ticket price for passengers boarding without a ticket, season ticket or valid travel document during ticket inspections, they said, adding that from 6 May, the surcharge will be HUF 25,000 (EUR 64).
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It’s a cost-cutting measure, which will make the trains unsafer and more unpleasant. Just wait till the hobos get wind of this. If you want to cut costs, maybe stop letting 90% of the country travel by train for “free”?