On 30 June, the air got so hot on a train at Keleti Railway Station that the passengers had to break the window to escape. According to MÁV, a technical fault and the heat caused the energy supply equipment to break down.
Technical fault
MÁV wrote in their report about the issue that there was a technical fault on the train. According to the schedule, the Wiener Walzer – Imre Kálmán international train was due to depart at 8:40 PM to Zurich and Munich. However, there was no electricity in the car because of a technical error and the extreme heat. The energy supply equipment had broken down, writes Telex.hu.
A passenger broke the window
Due to the lack of air conditioning, the air got so hot in the train that passengers had no other choice but to break the windows. After that, they opened the doors with the emergency opener and escaped the dangerously hot vehicle. Because of the broken window, a police investigation was necessary. Therefore, the train could only leave at dawn.
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Passengers were told to leave the train
The Budapest Police Headquarters said: “According to the available data, a train departing from the Keleti Railway Station broke down on the evening of June 30, 2022. After announcing over the loudspeaker for passengers to disembark, the train was pulled out of the station at around 10 PM, pulled aside and de-energized. However, passengers stayed in several cars, who were able to get off with the help of the emergency opening electronics. It did not work in one of the cars, so the people trapped inside were finally able to get out by breaking one of the windows.”
MÁV apologizes
A detailed investigation has begun. The police are still looking for answers. For example, an answer to how it could have happened that the broken-down car was pulled onto the storage track with passengers on board. MÁV provides full compensation, reports 444.hu. They ask affected passengers to contact MÁVDIREKT’s 24/7 phone numbers or email. In addition, MÁV apologizes to passengers for the inconvenience.
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Source: telex.hu, 444.hu, mavcsoport.hu
Calamitous.
I will take this opportunity in this forum, to make this comment, which has been sent to the applicable complaints department of MAV.
We travel night train MAV sleeper out of Keleti to Vienna onto Zurich to Munich.
Zurich is our normal train departing point.
The “Wiener Walzer” – 1st class – 2 person sleeping compartment – from a comfort perspective – is 4 star rating.
WHAT is DISAPPOINTING – is the VILE breakfast you are SERVED.
We have LEARNED – take your OWN.
We are NOT big breakfast eaters but SOMETHING of Quality rather than the present – MUST Happen.
Coffee re-fills – sadly what the conductor has to work with is NOT compatible – to what the Train/Passengers – should have as a SERVICE.
The “Wiener Walzer” – can IMPROVE its Customer Relationship – by providing a morning breakfast – that far outweighs – the present, which is quite replusive – 3rd Worldish.
Majority of US – would have, if placed in this position, reacted in a way, that could have included the “taking out” of a train window – for Air.
Health & Safety – passengers – used there LEGAL Rights.
MAV – not planing to convert carriages, that passengers can take a Sauna – Turkish Bath – in our travels ?
MAV – best advised – increase train operation INSPECTIONS – prior to them departing.
Passenger COMFORT – under Health & Safety – increase INSPECTIONS – that ENSURE all componentry of the Train – are Operational – which in this “Indian Summer” we are having – on in the Depths of Winter – includes Air Conditioning & Heating.
Duty of Care – incumbent of Passengers Health & Safety – must IMPROVE within MAV.
Why DO you type LIKE this?
Complaining about the breakfast style in an article about life endangering conditions…well, that’s something.
I mostly enjoyed travel in the night trains operated by MÁV. Nice staff, mainly on time and yes, a feeling of traveling in a time long gone.
But yes, you mustn’t compare to Japanese high speed, luxury trains.