No new Eurocity trains between Budapest and Vienna, Prague, Berlin, Warsaw
The government withdrew the relevant international public procurement tender but is still committed to buying 50 new Vectron locomotives. Below you may read the details.
The government decided to buy 39+10 new trains of at least seven carriages, capable of 230 km/h speed and able to partake in international traffic. The project would have meant 380 new carriages, meaning that 2/3rd of Hungary’s railway long-distance fleet could have been renewed, iho.hu said.
The Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) would have used the new trains between Budapest and Vienna, Prague, Berlin, later Budapest and Warsaw, Belgrade as Eurocity lines. Furthermore, they would have replaced some outdated domestic intercities, as well. However, the government withdrew its prior decision on 29 December without an explanation.
The decision means the budget will save hundreds of billions of forints.
Read also: PHOTOS: grandiose marble hall of Budapest railway station reopened
However, they still plan to buy 115 modern electric locomotives from Siemens Mobility for maximum HUF 70 billion (EUR 175 million). The financial source comes from a Eurofima loan.
Modernising the trains in Hungary is crucial. One option is to do so with the help of internal resources and knowledge. That is why the government launched the so-called IC+ program. As a result, 92 modern railway trains were modernised in 10 years.
Here are some photos:
