100 new trams serve Budapest passengers – photos

Budapest’s tram network, the beating heart of the Hungarian capital’s identity, notched up a milestone yesterday as the 100th sleek new tram rolled into service. Mayor Gergely Karácsony, beaming at the handover ceremony on Friday, declared: “We’re pushing for even more of these beauties on our tracks – because trams aren’t just transport; they’re woven into Budapest’s very soul.”

New trams on Budapest streets

Karácsony didn’t hold back on the gratitude. He hailed everyone from his predecessor István Tarlós and Vitézy Dávid – now Podmaniczky Mozgalom faction leader in the Budapest Assembly and ex-head of the BKK transport authority – for sealing the original deal that made this possible. Cheers went to the current BKK team under Walter Katalin for keeping the contract alive, enabling fresh procurements; to manufacturer CAF for extending the agreement and delivering with pinpoint precision; and to BKV’s engineers and mechanics who keep the fleet humming.

The mayor raised a toast to the European Union for footing nearly the entire bill, the supervisory authorities, and even the government for playing ball. He singled out Tibor Navracsics, the minister for public administration and regional development, without whom “we might not have secured the funding deal for these vehicles”.

New trams commute in 16 districts

BKK mobility deputy CEO Ádám Bodor painted a vivid timeline: Budapest’s trams kicked off in the 19th century, low-floor pioneers (the Combinos) arrived in 2006, and the first CAFs in 2015-16. Phase two delivered 73 by 2021, with an option for 51 more now coming good. “Only these modern, low-floor, air-conditioned beasts can rival the car driver’s comfort,” Bodor enthused, “backed by cutting-edge driver aids that make city streets safer.”

Today, these trams serve 16 districts across 12 of 36 lines. They’ve clocked 40 million kilometres since arrival, whisking 250,000 passengers daily. Low-floor models now make up 40% of the fleet, carrying two-thirds of riders. Bodor is optimistic: EU cash could soon upgrade depots in Angyalföld, Ferencváros and Száva Street, plus power lines, tracks and platforms – paving the way for more. A fresh tender is in the works to keep the renewal rolling. The 51 new ones? EU-backed with state top-up, to the tune of 54.15 billion forints.

Comfort soars as lines go all-CAF

BKK’s statement to MTI hailed the barrier-free, low-floor, climate-controlled CAFs for boosting passenger bliss, championing equality, and greening urban travel. More low-floor trams mean blanket coverage on key routes: lines 1, 3, 17, 19, 42, 50, 56, 56A and 61 are already buzzing with them. With the 100th in play, lines 3 and 42 are now CAF-only zones.

• Budapest’s iconic tram dethroned as world’s longest after 8 years
• Will Budapest really be the final stop on the Budapest-Belgrade railway? A western capital might join in!

Looking ahead, the 51 newcomers – plus EU infrastructure boosts – could electrify lines 2, 23, 24 and 62, with extras on 14 and 69. BKK and BKV are scoping lines 47 and 49 too.

CAF’s regional director Felipe Rodrigo Magal beamed at the bash: “We’re immensely proud to have partnered with Budapest for over 12 years, delivering for passengers every step of the way.”