traffic

The new Iron Curtain: Huge outrage at the Hungarian–Austrian border

Hungarian–Austrian border

Tensions have been escalating at the Hungarian–Austrian border between Ágfalva and Schattendorf for over a year now. Various issues have arisen during this time, causing hardships for commuters. Now, a new problem looms on the horizon.

The stem of the problem

We have previously reported HERE that the Hungarian–Austrian border between Ágfalva and Schattendorf (Somfalva) in northern Burgenland had been closed for months due to unfinished construction, posing a challenge for Hungarian commuters. The Mayor of Schattendorf promised to allow “neighbourhood traffic” with a toll.

However, residents of Ágfalva were facing difficulties obtaining permission to cross, despite their willingness to pay. Concrete posts were installed and specific criteria have been implemented to restrict vehicular access, potentially indicating a desire to keep Hungarian commuters away rather than ensuring traffic safety as previously claimed.

Here you can watch a video of the situation:

Growing tension

As Világgazdaság writes, there was even a protest at the infamous Hungarian–Austrian border. from July a one-off fee of EUR 160 (HUF 62,700) must be paid by those wishing to cross the border between Schattendorf (Somfalva) and Ágfalva. This one-sided decision was made by the Austrian municipal authorities.

It is quite surprising that EUR 140 (HUF 54,900) of the compulsory fee can be later redeemed in Austrian shops. Despite that, it caused outrage among commuters.

A new problem at the Hungarian–Austrian border

If that wasn’t enough, a new issue has arisen, further complicating the lives of commuters. Telex reports that the crossing post system is currently out of order. This compels everyone to take an alternative route, including those who have successfully purchased the pass.

The posts have been cordoned off, thus only cyclists and pedestrians can cross. The Mayor of Schattendorf (Somfalva) informed the Austrian press that there had been instances of criminal mischief.. According to him, someone had drilled into the asphalt and damaged the line.

Past vandalism

Last year, shortly after its inauguration, the post system, known as the “new Iron Curtain”, came under attack. The card reader was knocked down, resulting in the closure of the Hungarian–Austrian border crossing for weeks.

The Austrian municipality is now considering installing video cameras at the border to safeguard the system. However, it remains uncertain whether this project will receive authorisation. In addition, the post system is also a subject of ongoing legal action. A law firm filed a lawsuit claiming that it violated the EU law regarding border crossing.

Austria Hungary border crossing
Photo: facebook.com/drfarkasciprian
Austria border
Photo: Youtube/NZP NAGY LEGAL

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Hungary and Ukraine to sign border traffic agreement

szijjártó brussels ukraine border traffic agreement

Hungary and Ukraine is expected to sign a border traffic agreement on Monday, paving the way to opening a new crossing between the two countries, the foreign minister said on Thursday.

New border crossing with Ukraine on the horizon?

Noting a meeting in Uzhorod (Ungvar) earlier this year, and the decision to set up a working group “to find a way to restore all rights of the Hungarian community they have been stripped of since 2015,” Péter Szijjártó said on Facebook that “we sat down, virtually, in Budapest, Kyiv, Brussels and Uzhorod on Thursday to continue the work we started.”

He said that at the meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmitro Kuleba, and presidential office head Andriy Yirmak in January, “we put our expectations down in an 11-point list of steps necessary for . restoring the Hungarian ethnic community’s rights connected to preserving their identity and use of the mother tongue.”.

The border traffic agreement expanding capacity at the existing crossings and opening a new one “will provide a good baseline of trust” for that process, he added.

Read also:

Official: Road traffic code to change in Hungary

Traffic jam Budapest road traffic code

Hungary’s government has mandated a broad review of the country’s road traffic code in a resolution published in the latest issue of the official gazette Magyar Közlöny.

Road traffic code to change

In a statement issued on Thursday, the construction and transport ministry said the review would launch with consultations with a broad range of professional, scientific and civic groups. In addition to the rules of the road, the review will address driving instruction, enforcement and sanctions, and technical requirements for vehicles, while establishing a framework for the use of self-driving vehicles, it added.

motorway traffic Hungary
Source: Magyar Közút

The ministry noted that consultations with over 50 public administration, professional, scientific and civil organisations over the past year and a half had yielded recommendations and helped to identify major problems, laying the groundwork for the review of the road traffic code.

Construction and Transport Minister János Lázár will hold consultations with the interior minister, the head of the Prime Minister’s Office, the minister of culture and innovation, the justice minister and the minister for public services and development, and submit their recommendations until 31 March, 2025, the construction ministry said in a statement.

Read also:

city traffic budapest travel
Photo: Daily News Hungary

Video of pile-up: an Audi crashed into stationary cars!

M7 accident

On the M7 motorway connecting Balaton and Budapest, there are several crashes every weekend, but this one was a pile-up. And it was even caught on video.

Late on Easter Monday afternoon, eight cars collided at km 141 of the M7 motorway in the Balatonboglár area. Police closed this section of the highway yesterday for the duration of the investigation and rescue efforts, and traffic was diverted to another route.

Last night, a video of the pile-up accident was posted on the Bp.-i Autósok website: the video shows the white car that caused the accident driving at brutal speed into several vehicles ahead. An ambulance and a medical helicopter arrived at the scene, but fortunately, only two people had to be taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Read also:

  • Father dies next to his daughter in Budapest accident, guilty driver on the run – PHOTO
  • Heartbreaking: death toll on Sunday Hungarian rally accident rose – NEW VIDEO

Video of the pile-up accident

Official: Region’s most expensive one-day motorway vignettes now available in Hungary

motorway vignette traffic car

From 1 April, i.e. from today, it is possible to buy a daily e-vignette. The new type of toll product will be available at a discounted price for motorcycles, the National Toll Payment Services Plc. (NÚSZ) informed the Hungarian News Agency (MTI).

The entitlement will be valid for one calendar day as specified by the customer, from 0.00 to 24.00 hours, and can be used on the entire national toll road network, Portfolio quotes NÚSZ.

Motorway vignette Hungary
Photo: Facebook/Autópálya matrica

The new toll product can be purchased in advance or on the day of use. However,

it is important to note that if the date of purchase and the date of validity coincide, the daily vignette entitles the holder to use the road from the exact date of purchase, not retroactively.

The gross price of the daily sticker ranges from HUF 2570 to 5150 (EUR 6.5 to 13) in the different fee categories. From 1 April, it is available for purchase at the customer service offices of NÚSZ Plc. and on its online platform, as well as on the nemzetiutdij.hu website (English website HERE).

The NÚSZ has asked motorists who do not buy their daily e-vignette directly from the company, for example on the nemzetiutdij.hu website, to inquire in advance about the availability of the vignette at the planned place of purchase, as not all reselling partners will be able to offer it from 1 April.

Hungarian one-day vignette most expensive in the region

matrica vignette motorway sticker highway hungary
Source: Magyar Közút

The new toll product is HUF 5150 (EUR 13) for passenger cars, EUR 4.40 more expensive than its Austrian counterpart, atv.hu reports. In Austria, the one-day vignette will also be introduced this year. However, in our western neighbour, the charge will be EUR 8.60.

According to the Hungarian Automobile Club (Magyar Autóklub), this option is more worthwhile for foreigners who are just driving through the country. However, it is important to know that the one-day sticker is not valid for 24 hours from the date of purchase, but only on the day of purchase.

Read also:

Budapest ‘party tram’ will not commute in April

Budapest’s beloved tram line 6 will not operate between 1 and 4, 8 and 11, and 22 and 25 April at night. According to the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK), replacement buses will carry the passengers at night.

According to index.hu, the maintenance work will not affect weekend service when the ‘party trams’ on the 4-6 line are the busiest. That is because they commute on the Grand Boulevard of Budapest, where most restaurants, clubs, and bars are located, so tourists and locals travel with them from one place to another.

The replacement buses on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays will commute on the road instead of the tram tracks. Therefore, you may get on the buses at the bus stations. Furthermore, they will not stop at Margaret Island station.

bkk_tram_4-6_budapest
Photo: Daily News Hungary

Read also:

  • Hungarian one-day motorway vignette’s official date and price out – Read more HERE
  • Road closures to Budapest Airport from 2 April – Details in THIS article

Breaking: Hungarian one-day motorway vignette’s official date and price out

matrica motorway vignette sticker highway hungary

It was announced in November last year that the one-day motorway vignette would be introduced in Hungary. The Ministry of Construction and Transport has now announced when it will be available and how much it will cost.

The introduction of the new toll product follows the implementation of an EU directive adopted by the European Parliament on 24 February 2022, Világgazdaság writes.

It was announced at the end of November last year that the one-day toll product would be introduced in Hungary. In response to a question from Világgazdaság, the Ministry of Construction and Transport (ÉKM), headed by János Lázár, revealed when and for how much the one-day motorway sticker will be available.

One-day vignette date and price

It will be available for purchase from 1 April 2024.

One-day motorway ticket in Hungary
Photo: FB/NÚSZ Zrt.

The ministry also announced that the price of the new toll product for passenger cars (category D1) will be HUF 5,150 (EUR 13), in line with the provisions of Directive 1999/62/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, the so-called Eurovignette Directive.

The price is set on the basis of the EU stipulation that the price of a one-day toll product cannot be more than 9% of the price of the annual one (HUF 57,260/EUR 145).

The one-day vignette is valid from 0:00 to 24:00 on the calendar day indicated by the customer, i.e. only for that calendar day.

It has been stressed that the appearance of the new toll product will not affect the price of other valid products, Világgazdaság reports.

Read also:

Hungarian expressway to soon connect to Austrian A2 motorway

austria a2 motorway

Another section of the S7 expressway in Austria has been completed. With only ten kilometers remaining, the Hungarian M80 expressway will be connected to the Austrian A2 motorway. The completion of the Austrian S7 expressway is planned for 2025.

The M80 expressway linking Körmend to the Austrian border at Rábafüzes was opened almost two years ago. The road is ready up to the Hungarian-Austrian border; however, from there, there is no continuation. Thus, after the border, the old roads have to be used in Austria, Nyugat.hu reports.

A2 motorway to be connected to Hungarian M80 expressway

austria a2 motorway
The A2 motorway in Austria. Source: Wikimedia Commons/newsflash

The S7 expressway in Austria will link the A2 motorway and the Hungarian M80 expressway at Rábafüzes. Our Western neighbour has been planning and building the S7 expressway for some time. The S7 expressway’s tunnel at Rudersdorf was completed in early April last year, and the section between the A2 and Rudersdorf was finished by the end of the year.

Another section has now been completed. From Saturday, motorists will be able to use the expressway from the A2 all the way to Dobersdorf, orf.at reports. Dobersdorf is just ten kilometres from the Austrian-Hungarian border, which is all that is missing from the S7.

Austrian S7 expressway to be completed by 2025

m80 expressway
The M80 expressway in Hungary. Source: Wikimedia Commons/Pan Peter12

Completion of the expressway is planned for 2025, which, at the current rate, is likely to be achieved. When the Austrian S7 expressway is completed, it can be linked to the Hungarian M80 expressway. What is more, it will also be linked to the M86, which is currently being planned and will connect to the M80. Like this, the Hungarian M86 expressway will be connected to the A2 motorway and the European motorway network.

Relatively new motorway closed in Hungary

As we reported earlier, the M30 motorway was opened two years ago. By now, cracks on it have become so bad that the operator has closed it for several months. The section was built by the Austrian Strabag, which was ordered by the Hungarian state to carry out the repairs.

It was only 2.5 years ago, in October 2021, that the section of the M30 was opened to traffic. A month ago, the motorway was closed with immediate effect, and the road construction company (Strabag) has been called upon by the operator, the Hungarian Concession Infrastructure Development Plc. (MKIF) to start the warranty repairs as soon as possible.

m30 motorway cracks closed
Cracks on the M30 motorway. The road will be closed at least until the middle of August. PrtSc: YouTube/nagyfelbontas

The restriction between the 33 Miskolc-North junction and the 40 Szikszó junction will be in force from 17 February to 17 August in both directions. This means that a large section of a relatively new motorway will be closed for half a year due to its catastrophic state.

László Szimicsku, communications director of MKIF, said that as operators, they had maintained traffic as long as possible. Still, the displacement had become so great that they had no choice but to close the road completely. A 100-150 metre wide section of the track is sunken due to the displacement of its structure. The latter is 10-12 metres of soil, Simicsku explained.

The M30 motorway was opened to traffic in October 2021. The project, which started in 2018, cost a total of HUF 200 billion (EUR 514 million), making it one of the largest projects of the previous EU cycle. The Hungarian state, the investor, called on the Austrian Strabag to carry out the warranty restoration works according to the schedule.

Read also:

Budapest downtown traffic changes due to soccer match next Monday, Tuesday – MAP

downtown budapest traffic hungary

Budapest’s 7th, 8th and 14th districts will face significant traffic restrictions next Monday and Tuesday, the Budapest police headquarters said.

Budapest traffic changes due to soccer match

According to Turizmus Online, a Hungarian tourism news outlet, the national soccer team will play a preparatory match with Kosovo in the Puskás Arena, Budapest.

According to their statement, it will be forbidden to stop from 8 pm 25 March until 11 pm 26 March on multiple streets around the Puskás Arena. Those include the Verseny Street between Dózsa György and Thököly Streets. The same applies to the Dózsa György Street between the Kerepesi and Thököly Streets from 8 am until 11 pm on 26 March. Furthermore, you will not be able to stop in the parking lot at the junction of Ifjúság, Dózsa György and Kerepesi Streets.

Cars in parking lot, parking system
Photo: Pixabay

Segments of Asztalos Sándor Street, Ifjúság Street, and Kerepesi Street will also be closed. Moreover, you will not be allowed to stop in the area surrounded by the service road leading to the Papp László Budapest Sports Arena and the Puskás Ferenc Stadium metro station.

Police map shows which streets will be closed for traffic, parking

Several other street segments will be closed for traffic or parking. Instead of listing all of those, thankfully, the Budapest police department made a map on which they cleared which roads will be temporarily closed for parking.

police
Photo: Police.hu

Unfortunately, the text is in Hungarian. Actually, interpreting is not hard: let us help you with that below.

Blue shows the streets on which stopping will be prohibited. In the description (“leírás”) box, you can read the precise date and time. You should consider that in Hungarian, the month’s name precedes the day. Afterwards comes the hour and the minute police plans to close the street segment.

Meanwhile, red is the colour for the streets that will be temporarily and gradually closed for traffic. Those segments will only be closed on 26 March between 4 pm and 11 pm. Interpretation of the Hungarian text in the “leírás” (description) box is the same as above. Here is the map:

The Hungary-Kosovo preparatory match will start on 26 March at 7 pm.

On Friday, the Hungarian team defeated Türkiye 1-0 in the Puskás Aréna on a friendly match. That was the 13th match in Budapest in which Hungary did not lose. The team and the goal below:

Read also:

  • It will be hard to reach Budapest Airport in April: road maintenance begins – Read more HERE
  • Startling: Uber returns to Budapest but will be very different – Details in THIS article

It will be hard to reach Budapest Airport in April: road maintenance begins

According to MKIF Ltd., the company that operates, maintains and develops 1,237 km of Hungarian motorways, reaching Budapest Airport (Ferenc Liszt International Airport) will take more time from April. They announced that road maintenance work would start and all passengers should calculate extra time when getting to the airport.

According to the company’s statement, shared on their official Facebook page, the scheduled maintenance and renewal of the Budapest Airport junction and the nearby roads would start in the first week of April. Therefore, all drivers should expect lane closures and traffic diversions. The work will last 4-6 weeks and have multiple steps.

Road traffic change at Budapest Airport
Photo: facebook.com/budapestairport

The roadworks will affect public transport to Budapest Airport

They added that MKIF would only close one junction road to minimise traffic disturbance. However, the company added that all passengers should expect extended travel time and traffic jams.

They also promised to provide information before starting each stage of the renovation. They will share all relevant information on their website and Facebook page.

Furthermore, they will inform Budapest Airport about the maintenance work, so they will also share all the relevant information about the project.

They suggested all plane ticket holders acquire information about the traffic situation before starting their journey to the airport. They highlighted that the lane closures and traffic diversions will affect the timetable of the public transport vehicles.

Budapest Airport Transatlantic flights
Photo: FB/Budapest Airport

A Tajik man attacked police officers at Budapest Airport

According to infostart.hu, a Tajik man shouted at Hungarian police officers at Budapest Airport. He also threatened them and spit on one of them. Therefore, he will face a court trial, the Budapest prosecutor’s office shared.

The outrageous events happened in Terminal 2B on 2 March in the early hours. The man shouted at the airport staff that he was misinformed and missed his Istanbul flight.

The man in his 20s shouted at the police officers, as well. The police called him to leave and behave, but instead, he threatened one of the officers. The officers warned with handcuffing, provided he did not behave. But the man raised his hand above the head of the officer as if he wanted to strike.

Budapest Airport travel flights tourism
Source: Budapest Airport/FB

After being locked in a cell, he continued to swear, spit on one of the officers and threatened to kill. Therefore, he is facing a court trial now. The charge is violence against an official. The defendant has been in pre-trial detention since 2 March. The court held its first hearing on Thursday in the case.

Read also:

  • Summer schedule: Dozens of weekly flights between Budapest and adored European destination – Read more HERE
  • Budapest Airport loan faces OLAF investigation: Allegations of misconduct surface – Details in THIS article

Featured image: depositphotos.com

Gigantic motorway renovation wave in Hungary: 2 major motorways concerned

m3 motorway hungary

The gigantic wave of motorway renovations continues in Hungary. This year’s renovations will start on the M7 motorway, the Hungarian Concession Infrastructure Development Plc. (Magyar Koncessziós Infrastruktúra Fejlesztő Zrt., MKIF) announced. Next week, renovations will start on the M3 motorway, where the bulk of the work is expected this year.

On Wednesday 20 March, this year’s works will start on the M7 with the construction of diversions at three locations, the Kőröshegyi viaduct, Balatonlelle and Becsehely, Világgazdaság reports. This week, preparatory work will also begin on the M7 to replace the damaged pavement, according to the MKIF, whose workers will also start levelling the M3 motorway next week.

Renovations during the Easter period

motorway traffic Hungary
Source: Magyar Közút

Most of the renovations this year will be on the M3 motorway. However, it has been indicated that on the M1, due to the increased traffic over Easter, they will wait until after the holiday to carry out the renovations and will not be working on the M1 until the following week. As last year, work on the M7 motorway between Budapest and Lake Balaton will be suspended during the holiday period.

In 2024, the company’s staff will continue to work on 9 controlled-access highways: the M1, M15, M3, M30, M35, M4, M7, M70 and M8.

Hungarian history’s largest motorway upgrade

matrica vignette motorway sticker highway hungary
Source: Magyar Közút

The company points out that the largest motorway upgrade in Hungary’s history started last year and will last until 2025. This affects a total of 538 kilometres, or 43% of the roads they operate and maintain. In 2023, 3.6 million square metres of old, damaged pavement were replaced with new asphalt, which involved the use of 500,000 tonnes of asphalt.

Last year, 19% of the entire main line was renewed, including 106 bridges and overpasses, and a similar level of renewal is planned for 2024, they wrote. They added that they estimate that another 20% of the main line is expected to receive new asphalt this year.

Where necessary, deeper layers will also be renovated and repaired. In addition, 110 bridges and overpasses will be repaired in 2024.

Renovation of rest areas

m85 rest area
Rest area at Nagycenk on the M85 motorway between Sopron and Csorna on 16 December 2020. Source: MTI/Filep István

The renovation of the rest areas also started last August. The buildings’ mechanical systems, internal cladding, sanitary fittings, doors and roofs are being replaced, and the external façades are being renewed. New furniture will be installed and, where necessary, new asphalt will replace old paving in the car parks and paths to the rest areas.

It has been reported by the MKIF that some junctions will also need resurfacing this year. For this reason, there may be closures and diversions at several junctions until the end of this year’s works, probably until November.

“Last year, our colleagues completed more than 400 diversions across the country due to levelling work, and there will be work in many places in 2024. We urge drivers to slow down at diversions, obey posted signs and obey the Highway Code at all times,” they ask.

Read also:

Significant traffic restrictions in Budapest between 21 and 25 March

city traffic budapest travel mayor karácsony speed limit car

During the second half of the week, temporary traffic restrictions will be in place in Budapest’s Districts V, VII, VIII and XIV due to a Hungarian-Turkish football match.

The Hungarian-Turkish football match may paralyse the capital’s traffic during the second half of the week. There will be temporary traffic restrictions between 21 and 25 March in Budapest’s Districts V, VII, VIII and XIV, the Budapest Police Headquarters said on Tuesday. The Hungarian national football team preparing for the European Championship will play against Turkey on Friday evening at the Puskás Arena.

Traffic restrictions in Budapest

Budapest traffic travel
Photo: facebook.com/bkkbudapest

According to the police statement, it will be prohibited to stop on the park side of Erzsébet Square in District V between Miatyánk Street and Bécsi Street from 12 noon on Thursday, 21 March to 3.30 PM on 25 March; and on both sides of Verseny Street in District VII and VIII between Dózsa György Road and Thököly Road from 8 PM on 21 March to midnight on 22 March.

You won’t be able to stop on Friday 22 March from 6 AM to midnight on VII, in districts VIII and XIV, on both sides of Dózsa György Road between Kerepesi Road and Thököly Road, in the gravel parking area at the intersection of Dózsa György Road, Kerepesi Road and Ifjúság Road, on both sides of Ifjúság Road, in the service road leading to the underground car park of the Papp László Budapest Sport Arena (on the hotel side) and in the area bordered by the Puskás Ferenc Stadion metro station.

Upcoming matches

puskas arena
Source: Facebook/Puskás Aréna

The Marco Rossi-led national team will face Turkey in a preparation match on 22 March, then Kosovo on 26 March ahead of the summer European Championship, before meeting Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Nations League on 10 September, the Netherlands on 11 October and Germany on 19 November at the Puskás Arena.

Read also:

Big change in Budapest transport: no Nyugati overpass, tram on Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Avenue?

nyugati railway station budapest

Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony announced on Tuesday that the forthcoming tram line connecting Budapest’s eleventh and fourth districts would mark “the most significant traffic development project in years to come”.

Addressing the project launch, the mayor noted that trams were a key plank of Budapest’s public transport system compared with other European cities. “We are still unsatisfied and want to make further developments,” he added.

Karácsony said that the new line and other parts of the project co-financed by the European Union will link parts of the city that already have a metro service, but the route require high-capacity services above ground.

As part of the Revitalising Avenues program, the inner sections of Bajcsy-Zsilinszky Avenue and Váci Avenue will undergo a makeover, with Nyugati Square set for a complete redevelopment. Plans include the removal of the current overpass at the junction, aimed at creating a more inviting and spacious urban area.

nyugati railway station budapest overpass tram
Photo: Daily News Hungary

The proposed changes aim to maintain the square’s throughput capacity while allowing traffic to cross the Great Boulevard at ground level. The introduction of high-capacity trams is expected to significantly improve commuting experiences, ensuring quicker and more comfortable journeys for passengers. Additionally, the redesigned area will serve a broader purpose, potentially transforming Nyugati Square into a vibrant and functional urban public space for Budapest residents.

tram on Bajcsy-Zsilinszky street budapest
Source: BKK

Karácsony emphasised the positive impact of the new trams, asserting that they would enable “many more people to reach their destination faster and more comfortably than now.”

Following the dispute between the Budapest municipality and the Hungarian government, passengers stand to benefit from Hungary’s new and improved public transport fee system, offering clarity on prices and passes.

  • Read also: Luxurious Mini-Dubai in Budapest: Europe’s tallest tower and a shopping mall underway, details HERE

Warning: Budapest traffic restrictions for 15 March national holiday

Traffic will change in Budapest

The Budapest Police Headquarters (BRFK) has announced significant traffic restrictions across parts of the capital due to events and rallies scheduled for 15 March. The restrictions will affect multiple districts of Budapest until Saturday.

The restrictions

The Budapest Police Headquarters has outlined several road closures and traffic restrictions in Budapest for specific dates and times:

  • On Wednesday from 3 a.m., the outer lane of Múzeum Boulevard will be closed in the direction of Kálvin Square between Bródy Sándor Street and Kálvin Square and the direction of Astoria between Bródy Sándor Street and 2 Múzeum Boulevard.
  • From Thursday at midnight to Friday midnight, Pollack Mihály Square will be closed.
  • On Friday from 3 a.m. to 4 p.m., several streets will be closed including Bródy Sándor Street between Pollack Mihály Square and Múzeum Boulevard, Múzeum Street between Szentkirályi Street and Múzeum Boulevard, Üllői Street between Szabó Ervin Square and Kálvin Square, Múzeum Boulevard between Lónyay Street and Astoria and Kecskeméti Street between Magyar Street and Kálvin Square.
  • On Friday, from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday Erzsébet Bridge, Szabad Sajtó Street and Kossuth Lajos Street will be closed. Additionally, Rákóczi Street between Astoria and Blaha Lujza Square will be closed from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Andrássy Street between Bajcsy-Zilinszky Street and Oktogon from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Szabadság Bridge from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. will also be closed on Friday.
Parking will be prohibited in various areas including Balassi Bálint Street on Wednesday evening, Pilvax on Thursday, both sides of Múzeum Street between Múzeum Boulevard and Szentkirályi Street on Thursday and Friday, and the entire area of Pollack Mihály Square.
Furthermore, parking will be forbidden in specific zones starting Thursday on Andrássy Street, Széchenyi’s upper quay, Magyar Street, Wesselényi Street, Hunyadi János Street and Palota Street.

On the national holiday, parking will be prohibited on the following streets: Bródy Sándor Street, Pushkin Street, Szentkirályi Street, Trefort Street, Baross Street and Üllői Street. Additionally, on Friday, temporary parking restrictions will be in place on Apáczai Csere János Street, Deák Ferenc Street, Balassi Bálint Street and Falk Miksa Street – as announced by the Budapest Police Headquarters.

Furthermore, the Budapest Police Headquarters urges drivers to exercise heightened caution in compliance with the revised traffic regulations mentioned above.

Read also:

Two in one: newest Hungarian-Slovak border bridge inaugurated for the second time

new Hungarian-Slovak border bridge was inaugurated (4)

Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó inaugurated a bridge spanning the River Ipoly between Drégelypalánk, in northern Hungary, and Slovakia’s Ipelske Predmostie (Ipolyhídvég) in a formal ceremony on Monday.

The 50-metre St Borbala Bridge costing some 3 billion forints (EUR 7.6m) will allow drivers to cross the border in only a couple of minutes instead of driving 20 kilometres, Szijjártó said.

He noted that Hungary has the longest common border with Slovakia, adding that the 654km border section had only offered 22 crossing points back in 2010. With the new bridge added, the two countries now have 40 crossing points, he said.

Under an agreement signed in 2014 by the two countries’ leaders, the number of border crossings has been increased by 18, Szijjártó said.

“This is a real success story which needs to be continued, so we are prepared to build new bridges, roads and rail lines [connecting the two countries],” the foreign minister said.

The new bridge replaces a 15th-century one destroyed in the Second World War.

As we wrote earlier, Minister Szijjártó has already opened the bridge once, but at the time of the opening it was not possible to cross the bridge because the road leading to the bridge was flooded, details HERE.

Police to invade Hungary’s roads from Monday – here is what they are checking

police

Police officers will check the use of passive safety devices on Hungary’s roads for a week.

Based on the annual control plan of the ROADPOL Operational Group (European Road Police Network Operational Group), Hungarian police will check the use of passive safety devices throughout the country between 11 and 17 March.

The European-level “ROADPOL Seatbelt” check will focus on using seatbelts, child restraints, and helmets for motorcyclists and moped users.

Police. hu reports that the use of passive safety devices can prevent a significant number of injuries and reduce the severity of injuries in the event of an accident.

Read also:

Traffic changes in Budapest downtown due to commemoration today

Budapest traffic travel European summer no-go zones visitor numbers

Traffic will change in Budapest’s 5th district, near the Hungarian Parliament due to the commemoration of the victims of communism.

Trams 2, 2B, and 23, and bus nr 15 will commute on a different route between 9.30 am and 11 am today due to commemoration. According to the Budapest Transport Company, the event will be on the Vértanúk tere (Martyrs’ Square) in Budapest’s 5th district.

As a result, trams 2, 2B and 23 will only commute between their Southern final stations and Kossuth Lajos Square, Blikk wrote. That means they will not stop at the Visitors’ Centre and Jászai Mari Square stations and will not reach the Great Boulevard of Budapest.

Bus nr 15 will commute on a modified route between the Kossuth Lajos Square and the Petőfi Square. The bus will not touch the Széchenyi Street, Zrínyi Street and Dorottya Street (Vörösmarty Square) stations. But it will stop in the Arany János Street, Deák Ferenc Square, Hild Square, Szent István Square and Vigadó Square stations.

You may get on the trams in their Széchenyi Wharf station instead of the Kossuth Lajos Square station.

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Here is the launch date of the new Hungarian motorway ticket

Hungary motorway ticket

The long-anticipated launch date for purchasing the newly-introduced one-day Hungarian motorway ticket in Hungary has been leaked. However, nothing is certain until the authorities formally announce the exact date.

According to Világgazdaság, the Hungarian government announced plans for the introduction of the one-day Hungarian motorway ticket back in November.

The relevant decree from the Hungarian Construction and Transport Ministry will come into effect on 1 March. Yet, the availability of the one-day permit will not start immediately.

The necessity for Hungary to introduce the new sticker arose from an EU directive passed on 24th February 2022.

Here’s what we know about the new ticket so far:

  • It will only be valid on the specific calendar day.
  • NÚSZ Ltd. will disclose its price on its website.
  • A 30-day period must elapse between publication and implementation.

Világgazdaság believes that the price will officially be published in February. Thus, purchase is expected to start by the end of March.

A more precise date has been leaked since then: 25th March. This information surfaced on various social media platforms, notably shared by István Hollik, a lawmaker from PM Orbán’s Fidesz-KDNP alliance and the communications director of the co-ruling Christian-Democratic Party.

New motorway ticket with a hefty price tag

Autopalyamatrica.hu initially shared the 25th March date but later deleted, indicating the ticket will be available from spring 2024.

25th March aligns with the deadline set by the European Parliament and Council for the mandatory introduction of the one-day motorway ticket.

Interestingly, even though the relevant decree has not yet been published in the Hungarian Gazette, we already have insight into its cost.

Világgazdaság reports that the price will stand at HUF 5,150 (EUR 13.2) for the D1 category and HUF 7,310 (EUR 18.8) for the D2 category.

The Hungarian government previously emphasised their intent to maintain a high price for the one-day ticket, given its intended use by transit traffic and foreigners. Notably, a sticker valid for ten days currently costs HUF 6,400 (EUR 16.5) in Hungary, marginally less than the anticipated cost of the one-day ticket.

Read also:

  • One-day motorway vignette to be extremely expensive in Hungary – Read more HERE
  • Problem surfaced regarding one-day motorway vignette in Hungary – Details in THIS article