Metro line 4 might be handed over a day before the Peace March

Since the Alstom metro vehicles have already run 145 000 kms out of the 150 000 made compulsory by the authorities, it is almost positive that the handover ceremony planned on March 28 will not encounter any obstacles.

First plans for a fourth metro line were developed in 1972, but the track and list of the stations were finalized only in 1996. Gábor Demszky, the Mayor of Budapest from 1990 to 2010, originally promised in 1998 that the first section of the line would be open by 2003, but after several delays construction work started in 2004. In 2004, with the metro still unopened, he delayed the opening until 2008. In 2006 the opening was reworked to 2009, in April 2007 to 2010, in October 2007 to 2011.

Metro line 4 will probably be handed over before the elections- wrote Népszabadság. According to the informations, the Alstom metro vehicles have securely run 145 000 out of the 150 000 compulsory kms without malfunction. The National Transport Authority of Hungary is assuredly going to permit the temporary use of the vehicles and the tunnel this week, then the use of the whole line the next.

István Tarlós is going to hand over Metro line 4 on March 28 during the general meeting of Fidesz on Heroes‘ Square, a day before the Peace March. The Mayor declared that he will not invite Gábor Demszky to the event because he does not deserve to be present according to him.

The fully automated Alstom Metropolis train sets have already been installed on the M2 line, too. The city government has conducted research showing that the new line will reduce travel times on an already overused transit corridor.

based on article of origo.hu & wikipedia

by Reka Jancskar

Photo: MTI

Source: http://dailynewshungary.com/