Snow disrupts public transport in Budapest: Delays and detours announced

Budapest woke up to its first snowfall of the year on Wednesday morning, causing widespread disruptions to public transport and prompting warnings from authorities. Following snowfall in northern Hungary earlier this week, the wintry weather has now reached the capital, affecting both bus and train services.

Public transport detours

The Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) reported several detours affecting buses in the city and its outskirts. Icy and snowy conditions in higher elevations and outer districts have made some routes hazardous. Key changes include:

• Bus 140 in Törökbálint avoided the Harangláb and Munkácsy Mihály Street stops earlier in the day due to slippery roads but has since returned to its normal route.
• Bus 188, connecting Budakeszi and Budaörs, is skipping stops between the Tesco supermarket and Gyár Street due to expected disruptions on the road linking the two towns.
• Additional detours were implemented for buses 40, 40E, 140A, 240, and 287 in Budaörs, bypassing the Patkó Street and Gimnázium stops.

BKK advised drivers to exercise caution, particularly in the hilly and outer areas of Budapest, where road conditions remain snowy and slippery. The public is encouraged to use well-maintained vehicles equipped with winter tyres and, if possible, opt for public transport.

Train delays and replacement services

Snowfall has also significantly disrupted railway services across the country. Passengers are facing delays, shortened routes, and replacement buses on several lines:

• On the Győr–Veszprém line, delays of 30-60 minutes have been reported. Trains are running shorter routes, and buses are covering affected segments. For instance:
  • The 5:13 AM train from Győr to Veszprém operated only to Zirc, with buses continuing the journey.
  • The 7:35 AM train from Veszprém to Győr started with a bus segment to Zirc.
  • The 7:29 AM train from Bakonyszentlászló to Győr is running 25-30 minutes late.
• On the Székesfehérvár–Komárom line, the 6:08 AM S150 train (34910) broke down near Bodajk. Passengers were directed to the 6:57 AM Volánbusz service from the Bodajk railway station entrance to Mór, where replacement buses continued toward Komárom, albeit with a 40-minute delay. Similarly, the 8:05 AM S150 train (34917) from Komárom to Székesfehérvár has been replaced by buses.