Safety remains the government’s top priority, meaning passenger services on the long-awaited Budapest–Belgrade railway cannot begin until every required condition has been fully met, Transport and Investment Minister Dávid Vitézy said in a Facebook post on Sunday.

The minister said operations can only commence once the Chinese contractor completes the necessary software corrections and all safety tests have been successfully passed.

“Rather than making promises about deadlines that cannot be met, we will communicate honestly and transparently about the progress of the project,” Vitézy wrote.

Software problems found in signalling system on Budapest-Belgrade line

In a video accompanying the post, Vitézy explained that installation of the train control system – a technology widely used in China but not previously deployed in Europe – has been completed. However, software issues were identified during testing, making further corrections necessary before the line can be opened to passengers.

According to the minister, if the contractor completes the promised software fixes within the coming days or weeks, so-called “dark running” trials, during which trains operate without passengers, could begin in the first half of August. If those tests are successful, passenger services could start as early as September.

Safety takes priority over deadlines

Vitézy stressed that any additional problems discovered in the coming weeks would inevitably delay the opening further. “The priority is safety,” the minister said, adding that the government would not put the railway into operation until it is fully satisfied that all technical and safety requirements have been met.

What this means for travellers

Although the Budapest–Belgrade railway upgrade is nearing completion, travellers should not expect passenger services to begin immediately. The government has made clear that the line will only open once the new signalling system has been fully tested and certified. If the remaining software issues are resolved on schedule, the first passenger trains could begin operating in September, but any further technical setbacks could postpone the launch.

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