traffic

Warning: Traffic restrictions in Budapest due to protest on Wednesday

bkk_bkv_tram_budapest_transport kató_alpár_dnh_

Traffic restrictions and closures are expected in the centre of Budapest on Wednesday due to a protest, the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) said.

Due to a march demonstration, between 16.30 and 19.00, there will be sectional and temporary closures on Szent Gellért Square-Liberty (Szabadság) Bridge-Belgrád Quay-Március 15. Square-Jane Haining Quay-id. Antall József Quay-Kossuth Lajos Square.

The affected public transport lines will run on a modified route. Trams no. 47 and 49 will run only on the Buda side of the line, MTI reports.

March protest on Wednesday: “That’s not enough! Hands off the children!”

“That’s not enough! Hands off the children!” – another demonstration for child protection has been organised for this afternoon at the Carmelite Monastery in the Buda Castle. The protesters will march with torches from Szent Gellért Square to the Prime Minister’s Office, Blikk reports.

Inspired by the demonstration organised by influencers and opinion leaders, which attracted 150,000 people, new demonstrations were announced. As reported by Blikk on Tuesday morning, the opposition is organising a demonstration in front of Parliament on 25 February in connection with the amnesty scandal. Today, another demonstration on child protection is held.

Read also:

February 21, 2024

Mass demonstration in Budapest downtown: traffic, public transport changes

Hungarian influencers, YouTubers and, who is currently the most popular Hungarian singer, Azahriah, announced a mass demonstration on Budapest’s Heroes’ Square this evening to protest against President Novák’s pardon for a paedophile helper. The scandal resulted in the resignation of the president and the leader of Fidesz’s EP list, the former Justice Minister Judit Varga. Since the demonstration will be in downtown, traffic changes today in Budapest.

According to Blikk, a Hungarian tabloid, the demonstration and the arrival of the Chinese minister for public security will change traffic in Budapest’s 2nd, 5th, 6th and 14th districts.

The Hungarian influencers’ demonstration will start at 6 PM today on Heroes’ Square. In their joint statement, they said they were fed up and, regardless of political affiliations, as civilians, they would like to raise their voices for the protection of the victims, transparency and an honest social dialogue.

Due to the demonstration, there will be significant changes in Budapest’s traffic order. For example, it will be prohibited to stop on either side of Lendvay Street between the Rippl Rónai and Dózsa György streets, the Rippl Rónai Street between the Andrássy Avenue and the Szondi Street. Furthermore, you cannot stop today between 6 AM and 10 PM at the Széchenyi Square and the Pest Lower Wharf between Markó Street and the Margaret Bridge.

From 6 PM until 8 PM, the Heroes’ Square, the Kós Károly Promenade and the Zoo Promenade will be closed to traffic. Depending on the number of participants, the Dózsa György Street and the Andrássy Avenue may also become closed.

BKK will change the route of bus line 20E, which will not stop at Heroes’ Square. Services 30, 30A, 75, 79 and 230 will commute to Hermina Street on a different route. If the Andrássy Avenue is closed, buses 105 and 210 will also change their routes.

HERE is a map concerning the restrictions. Blue lines mean stopping is prohibited, and red line means the area will be closed to traffic.

There are street and square sections in Budapest where you cannot stop. HERE is another map collecting all those.

Read also:

February 16, 2024

Deadly dangerous: these are the 20 worst roads in Hungary

We are presenting the top 20 most dangerous road sections in Hungary. The Hungarian Road Management has collected more than a 100 accident hot spots across the country and compiled a detailed list of the 20 worst roads in Hungary.

The list was compiled by the Hungarian Road Management Ltd., the country’s largest road operator. The company has a huge area in need of patrolling and examination through the whole year. Their inspectors are known to everyone as the orange cars that crawl along the side of the road taking note of every little detail, like the quality of asphalt.

They said that there were all in all 103 road sections found with a high accident count. Out of these, 43 were in populated areas and the remaining 60 in unpopulated areas.

The danger database

There was already an overview of the most dangerous road sections of the country done between 2017 and 2019. In the previous database, they specified these unsafe roads precisely by the kilometre markers. However, as Vezess.hu writes, they approached the road managers again for a better view of where exactly the most dangerous roads are. Through an examination that lasted from 2020 to 2022, the next list was compiled. Vezess asked that the route number and the affected settlement be included in the database, this way making these accident hotspots more identifiable and thus, avoidable.

Below is a chart of these roads, with the data collected by the Hungarian Road Management Ltd. The right side of the chart shows the total number of accidents on the given road and the “weighted number of accidents”. To understand this, you have to know that the Hungarian Road Management Ltd counts every accident that happened on the examined road section and depending on the severity of the injury, they rate it.

For example a smaller injury would result in a lower number, while a death would mean the highest there is. These weight numbers are added to the total count of accidents in the end, creating the ranking published by the Hungarian Road Management Ltd. Here are the top ten most dangerous roads in Hungary between 2020 and 2022.

	County	Route	Town(s)	Number of accidents	Weighted number of accidents
1.	Pest	51/510	Dunavarsány	31	33
2.	Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok	4	Szolnok	7	27
3.	Pest	M0	Üllő, Vecsés	11	23
4.	Veszprém	82	Nagyesztergár, Csesznek	9	23
5.	Vas	86	Szombathely	9	21
6.	Pest	51	Taksony, Dunaharaszti	12	20
7.	Zala	6832, 7	Galambok, Nagyrécse	10	20
8.	Pest	5	Dabas	8	20
9.	Komárom- Esztergom	8136	Tata	10	18
10.	Heves	21, M3	Hatvan	10	18

Through the examined time period between 2020 and 2022, they found that the most dangerous road in Hungary was the section of Route 51/510 located in Dunavarsány. This road section has the highest weighted number of accidents with 33. It’s an especially hazardous road, considering that it’s much shorter than the second runner up, the notorious route 4. Yet, it still has the holds the biggest weight in the list.

	County	Route	Town(s)	Number of accidents	Weighred number of accidents
11.	Komárom- Esztergom	117	Tát	8	18
12.	Hajdú-Bihar	4814	Debrecen	9	18
13.	Baranya	58	Pogány, Pécs	7	17
14.	Bács-Kiskun	5211, 5202	Lajosmizse	7	17
15.	Pest	51	Dunavarsány, Majosháza	7	17
16.	Pest	4613	Kocsér	7	17
17.	Csongrád-Csanád		Szeged	12	16
18.	Borsod-Abaúj- Zemplén		Mezőkövesd	8	16
19.	Baranya		Pécs	8	16
20.	Somogy		Som	6	16

Improving statistics

The previous forerunner, the one in the last assessment, was route 82, which has now dropped down to the fourth place. This shift is very well explained by the Hungarian Road Management Ltd.’s approach to the issue. Not only do they compile the collected data, but they also submit proposals for the development of each hazardous road section.

All throughout 2023, there were several lower cost developments planned or implemented. These included signage and asphalt painting or minor constructions for increasing overall traffic safety. Once these lower cost developments are done, more serious constructions can begin to take place, such as building additional traffic lanes or roundabouts.
These can also improve the overall safety of Hungary’s roads and hopefully lead to a decrease in the number of traffic accidents.

This could also interest you:

Read on about the cars Hungarians use HERE.
Read about a new planned road construction HERE.

February 11, 2024

Number of green vehicles up five fold in the last few years

The number of green vehicles registered with green number plates rose to over 88,000 in January from 17,000 in 2020, or a five-fold increase, the energy ministry said on Thursday.

The increase in the fully electric car segment was even higher, 6.5-fold increase during the period, the ministry said on Facebook, adding that the number of these types is expected to exceed 50,000 at the end of this month.

Around 3,000 pure electric green trucks, 500 motorcycles and over 200 run on Hungary’s roads.

Fifty-six percent of vehicles with green plates are fully electric and 60 percent of them were put on the roads in the countryside, the ministry said.

The government’s goal is to promote green energy in the Hungarian transport sector which currently produces one-fifth of all of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. It has earmarked 30 billion forints (EUR 77m) to subsidise the purchase of eco-friendly vehicles by businesses, it said.

The call for proposals, which opened on Monday, had received 1300 applications worth HUF 6.3 (EUR 16m) billion by this morning.

The most popular category of vehicles is passenger cars, with more than 1,200 vehicles, but more than 400 vans would also be purchased with non-repayable grants by the companies that have already applied.

A gigantic improvement: planning for Budapest Ring Road renovation set to start this year

Planning for the revamp of a major section of Budapest’s Ring Road linking Petőfi Bridge and Margaret Bridge is set to begin this year, with the first stage of the renovation works expected to get under way next year, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony said on Thursday.

The renovation of the section between Nyugati Square and Mester Street is expected to be completed by the end of the next city administration term, Karácsony said in response to a question at a press conference.

The mayor spoke after a cabinet meeting in Budapest‘s 7th district, where the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th districts signed an agreement on the project.

The project will be financed from 4 billion forints (EUR 10.3m) in European Union funds, as well as city council and district resources, Karácsony said. In addition to renovating the physical space, the project is aimed at creating a uniform image for the city, he said, adding that this will be linked with a business development scheme.

Karácsony said the study preceding the project had already been carried out in the form of a “broad social dialogue”.

He said in response to questions that the city council will use its own resources to repave the road, adding that the districts will be responsible for repairing their own pavement sections.

Karácsony said the city would not be starting the planning from scratch, as a comprehensive plan to renovate the Ring Road had already been approved back in 2021.

He said the project will increase the size of green areas, protect the existing tree line, add better protected bicycle lanes, improve the quality of the pavement and add more crosswalks.

Plans also include the launch of a credit scheme for microbusinesses with a view to attracting socially productive businesses to the Ring Road, Karácsony said.

Tamas Soproni, the mayor of the 6th district, said it was important to refurbish the facade of the buildings along the Ring Road that were damaged in the Second World War and the 1956 revolution. He said it would also be important to open up to cultural institutions and civil society, adding that the districts should incentivise proprietors on the Ring Road to also attract businesses “other than pubs” to the area.

Meanwhile, asked about cooperation among the opposition parties in this year’s local elections, Karácsony said the parties included in Budapest’s leadership remained committed to staying united.

“We may not contest the elections on a joint list, but certainly as one political community,” he said, adding that certain disagreements regarding the mayoral candidates still had to be settled.

As we wrote earlier, Mayor Gergely Karácsony has hinted at a potential overhaul of Budapest’s parking regulations, drawing inspiration from Paris. Could this signal a significant shift following the upcoming municipal elections? Details HERE.

We also wrote a month ago, that traffic jams have decreased most in Budapest, details HERE.

February 8, 2024

Is Budapest’s mayor planning a fundamental change to parking rules?

Mayor Gergely Karácsony has hinted at a potential overhaul of Budapest’s parking regulations, drawing inspiration from Paris. Could this signal a significant shift following the upcoming municipal elections?

“When it comes to sustainable urban development, we should follow the example of Paris”, Karácsony declared in his yesterday Facebook post concerning the issue. The mayor of Hungary’s capital pointed to Paris’s approach, where citizens were canvassed on whether owners of SUVs should pay higher parking fees due to their vehicles’ size and weight—a proposal that garnered majority support. Karácsony conveniently left out the fact that only 5.7% of the Parisians participated in the referendum, with a slim majority of 54.55% backing the measure, as reported by infostart.hu. Similar initiatives are also underway in cities like Graz, Austria and Hannover, Germany.

Currently, in Budapest, all cars with green license plates can park freely, irrespective of their electric status, size or owner’s residence.

Will Karácsony lose political support due to his parking rule proposal?

“Parking fees serve to regulate urban traffic flow”, Karácsony argued. He did not mention though whether free parking should be abolished for zero-emission cars. However, he questioned the rationale behind allowing suburban green plate cars to occupy Budapest’s parking spots without charge. “Shouldn’t the citizens of Budapest have a say in this matter?” he posed to his followers, concluding his post.

Yet, the likelihood of such plans materialising before Hungary’s municipal elections on 9 June seems thin. Karácsony, a prominent figure in the anti-Orbán Hungarian opposition and the incumbent mayor, stands a good chance of reelection. Consequently, any measures targeting green plate cars might only come into effect post-June.

Nevertheless, recent modifications to relevant legislation in December have altered Budapest’s electoral system. There’s a possibility that Karácsony might not reap a majority in the municipal council, unlike his tenure from 2019 to 2024. This could potentially complicate the process of enacting fundamental modifications to parking rules post-election.

Read also:

Strict parking rules introduced in Budapest – Read more HERE
Here is the Great Agreement? This is how opposition wants to defeat Orbán in Budapest – Details in THIS article

February 7, 2024

Austrian village makes it impossible for Hungarian commuters to pass the border

Tension is rising at the Austrian–Hungarian border between Schattendorf and Ágfalva. After long months of road construction, Hungarians still cannot cross the border, making the life of commuters tough. The Mayor of the Austrian village did not keep his promise. Now, people have to travel 30 kilometres on a different route to get to work or meet their family members.

We reported HERE back in June that the border between Schattendorf (Somfalva) in northern Burgenland and Ágfalva had been closed for months due to unfinished construction. Naturally, this meant quite the challenge for Hungarian commuters who have to pass the border on a daily basis. The Mayor of Schattendorf, Thomas Hoffmann, was adamant about traffic restrictions; however, he promised that the road and the border would be open to “neighbourhood traffic” (Nachbarschaftsverkehr). For a long time, he did not share the exact rules, only the fact that there would be a toll. As it seems, he did not keep his promise.

False promises

Telex reports that the residents of Ágfalva face difficulties obtaining permission to cross the border. Even if they are willing to pay the municipality of Schattendorf, they still cannot get the permission. The Austrian border municipality took measures last year to restrict vehicular access between Ágfalva and Schattendorf (Somfalva) by installing concrete posts, requiring the fulfilment of specific criteria and the acquisition of a sticker for authorised use. Last year, the municipality reasoned with keeping traffic safe with these measures, but it seems they may just want to keep Hungarian commuters away.

Read also:

Making life hard for commuters

As it seems, reasons like working in a nearby Austrian village or having family members there are not valid enough to get permission. The situation means a daily challenge to many Hungarians, as the distance between the two villages would be only 2 kilometres, but by taking another route, it grew to 30 kilometres. According to a villager, it used to take her 10 minutes to cross the border, while now, after the unfair measures, it takes her 75 minutes. Only a few lucky ones had the chance to buy the sticker for authorised use of the road for EUR 160. Less fortunate ones only received a rejection. However, they were suggested to walk, ride a bike, or even a motorbike in order to cross the border freely.

Seeking legal action

Some villagers have addressed a letter to the Mayor of Schattendorf, but Thomas Hoffmann is keeping his silence on the matter. A law firm has taken the issue to court recently. Their main argument is that the arbitrary restrictions on transit violate fundamental EU rights. The case has now been ruled at first instance in the Eisenstadt court. While it does not favour the Hungarians, more legal options are still open. According to the law firm, it is quite clear that the sinking pillars closing the border are a barrier. In addition, the measures are not aimed at ensuring traffic safety but at keeping Hungarian commuters away.

February 2, 2024

Budapest assembly’s decision about abolishing freight traffic fee

Budapest’s City Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution expressing its disagreement with a call by the Budapest government office to abolish the freight traffic fee, arguing that the city council had the right to implement the regulation.

According to the resolution, the Budapest government office turned to the city council last November after reviewing a 2011 decree on Budapest’s freight traffic. It found the clauses on the freight traffic fee, the reimbursement for the road use contribution, and registration costs to be unlawful.

The proposal put forward by Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony was approved with 17 votes in favour, 9 against and one abstention.

Before the vote, a Democratic Coalition (DK) representative vowed to prevent Budapest from turning into a highway for lorries and vote against the central government proposal to withdraw the decree. Sándor Szaniszló told a press conference that the central government’s demand would result in the roads of Budapest being inundated with lorries.

Read also:

Good news in the Hungarian capital: traffic jams have decreased most in Budapest – Read more HERE
Budapest’s metro line may face closure due to the hazardous state of carriages

Budapest Fidesz group welcomes audit of Chain Bridge renovation

The Budapest group of Fidesz welcomes an audit of the renovation of the city’s landmark Chain Bridge, to be carried out by the government control office (KEHI).

Zsolt Wintermantel, the head of the Fidesz-led group, told the press during a Wednesday meeting of the Budapest city assembly that he hoped the audit would reveal “the entire chain of who received money through companies involved in the mass production of fake invoices”.

He said it was unacceptable that nobody had explained why a new public procurement tender had been invited for the project, resulting in less work undertaken for 5 billion forints (EUR 13m), a higher cost than that contained in the original public procurement tender. The company which won the tender with the backing of the city mayor had made “large financial transfers to firms connected with the mass production of fake invoices”, he added.

Wintermantel said it was welcome that a civil organisation, in this case Transparency International, was involved in checking the related public procurements, but he criticised the fact that the organisation had charged 5 million forints for this work and yet “it did not achieve anything”. He added there may have been “external pressure” to pay the organisation.

At the same time, he said he was willing to believe that Gergely Karácsony, the mayor of Budapest, was not personally culpable for any wrongdoing.

In response to a question concerning whether a committee would be set up by the city to investigate the case, he said Karacsony tended to be “silent when it comes to every unpleasant issue”, so it was unlikely that such a committee would be set up.

January 31, 2024

One of the region’s most expensive fuel prices is in Hungary, rising again on Wednesday

From Wednesday, fuel prices will rise again in Hungary.

The wholesale price of petrol will increase by four forints gross, while gasoline will cost five forints gross more at petrol stations in the middle of the week.

According to holtankoljak.hu, average fuel prices at petrol stations in the middle of the week will therefore be as follows:

95 petrol: 585 forints (EUR 1.53) per litre
diesel: 619 forints (EUR 1.62) per litre

You can read all our news about fuel prices.

It is worth filling up in neighbouring countries

It’s worth driving to neighbouring countries to refuel from Hungary, atv.hu reported last Thursday. According to a report by ATV:

In Croatia, fuel prices have not only become more expensive, but cheaper in recent days. This means that diesel and petrol now cost EUR 1.38 each, making diesel around HUF 100 cheaper and petrol between HUF 60 and HUF 65 cheaper than in Croatia.

In Slovenia, petrol costs the same and diesel is 3 euro cents more expensive than in Croatia, so many Hungarians also go there to fill up.

In Slovakia, diesel is 32 forints cheaper than in Hungary, but petrol is cheaper here than in Slovakia.

In Austria, prices are similar to those in Hungary, although the average salary is much higher.

We have another report from earlier, fuel is cheaper in almost all neighbouring countries, details HERE.

January 22, 2024

Bus traffic may halt in Hungary in January due to strike

Bus traffic may halt in January in Hungary

There are more than 10,400 bus drivers in Hungary. So far, 5,107 of them have signed a petition that they will go on strike if their employer does not give a higher wage increase.

According to 24.hu, István Dobi, the chairman of the Hungarian Solidarity Bus Drivers’ Association, will announce a national strike if more than 60% of the Hungarian drivers agree with their signature. The current figure is 49%, so they need 900 more drivers’ support.

Their employer, Volánbusz, a state-owned company, offered a 10-12% wage increase last December. Meanwhile, the drivers’ association wants at least 25%. The agreement has to be reached by the end of January.

If the strike gets the green light from the drivers, it will be on 28 and 29 January, a Sunday and a Monday.

Solidarity’s 25% is a negotiation basis. They said they would not decrease that demand below 20%.

Before, János Lázár, Hungary’s construction and transport minister, said that a 25% wage rise is fanciful. He added that only one bus drivers’ association (trade union) wants that much. The other more than two dozen would be satisfied with a lower salary increase. However, it seems Solidarity will be able to collect enough signatures to play out their interest.

Read more:

Official: Hungarian state bus company announces strike – Read more HERE
New flight between Budapest and Balkans tourist paradise announced – Details in THIS article

January 14, 2024

Castle Bus’s, Chain Bridge buses’ timetable changes today!

Chain Bridge bus timetable changes today

Because of an organised event, the timetable of bus nr 16, 216, 105, 178, and 210B will change today between 3 PM and 5 PM.

According to the relevant statement of the Budapest Transport Company (BKV) sent to the Hungarian News Agency (MTI), the buses will reach Deák Ferenc Square from the Széchenyi István Square via Március 15. Square. They will not touch József nádor Square but will stop at Ferenciek and Erzsébet Square at the bus stop of bus nr 15.

Chain Bridge buses will commute to Buda on the Elizabeth Bridge and not touch Szent István Square. But they will stop on either side of the Elizabeth Bridge: at the Március 15. and Döbrentei Squares, in the bust stops of bus nr 110.

Read also:

Key changes in Hungarian public transport summarised in 10 points – Read more HERE

January 13, 2024

Good news in the Hungarian capital: traffic jams have decreased most in Budapest

The Hungarian capital has seen the largest reduction in congestion among major European cities.

Mayor of Budapest Gergely Karácsony proudly shared on his Facebook page, “Budapest has seen the biggest reduction in congestion among all European cities, second only to Vienna, when compared to the previous year.”

The mayor added that this is a trend that has been persistent. This achievement stands out as congestion has surged in the majority of the surveyed countries . “This is not only our assertion but that of an independent navigation company based on real data,” Karácsony wrote.

The mayor of Budapest said there is only one solution to everyday traffic jams. “We shouldn’t make people falsely believe that they can afford to always take their car wherever they go, instead we should provide them with affordable and convenient public transport”.

Read also:

January 11, 2024

Budapest’s metro line may face closure due to the hazardous state of carriages

The replacement of these outdated and seemingly hazardous carriages is estimated to cost HUF 40-50 billion (EUR 105-131 million). Despite allocated EU funds for this purpose, rumours abound that the Orbán cabinet might seek financial backing for their mini-Dubai project instead of the much-needed metro line renewal. At least, that is what Népszava suggests.

Government plans have been released for a new city district and the financing of various infrastructural projects in Budapest’s Rákosrendező area. Reports indicate coordination with an Arab investor, with the government actively refining plans in collaboration. More details on the government’s mini Dubai project can be found in THIS article.

Népszava, a left-leaning Hungarian daily, suggests that the EU funds earmarked for new metro carriages on line M1 might divert towards the mini-Dubai venture.

The M1 metro carriages, designed to operate for 40 years and 2.1 million kilometres, are now exceeding their intended lifespan, serving over 40 thousand daily passengers in Budapest. The M3 metro line faced a similar issue, leading the government, during Fidesz-KDNP-backed István Tarlós’ mayorship, to permit Budapest to take a loan for its modernisation, costing HUF 217.5 billion (EUR 570 million) over five years, with the European Union covering a significant portion of the expenses.

Concerns over the safety of Metro Line M1

The project to replace the ageing carriages and extend the line was earmarked in the 2014-2020 EU funding period but fell short on funds. In 2021, Budapest’s Transport Company, BKV, received HUF 2 billion (EUR 5.28 million) for carriage design, but their acquisition remains stalled due to funding constraints.

In December, Budapest attached a prerequisite to the government-backed mini-Dubai project: the renovation of the M1 metro line. However, the ministry has not disclosed whether negotiations have started.

Meanwhile, time is running out. Tunnels were renovated 30 years ago, and carriages are now 25 years old. BKV asserts the safety of the trains, yet admits to needing 16 metro trains for current operations without specifying the operable count from the total 23. The costs for such an endeavour are bound to be astronomical.

Astronomical costs

Endre Bíró, Chairman of the Metróért Egyesület (‘For the Metro Association’), emphasises the growing risk of accidents, citing damages incurred during operation and the necessity for replacement due to material fatigue.

Each new carriage is estimated at HUF 2 billion (EUR 5.3 million), with a requirement for at least 22. Factoring in the planned network extension, five more would be necessary, pushing the total cost beyond HUF 54 billion. Additionally, a railway reconstruction is imperative, further complicating matters. Moreover, such a project would take time. For instance, just the construction of the custom-designed trains (due to the narrow tunnel) is expected to span 4-5 years.

Recently, the government announced the reduction of frequency on some HÉV lines in Budapest, citing a shortage of safely operating trains. The situation appears increasingly dire.

Gas oil prices in Hungary to drop further on Wednesday

From Wednesday onwards, the wholesale price of gas oil will see a further reduction of HUF 2 gross.

According to holtankoljak.hu, the purchase price of petrol will remain unchanged midweek.

Considering the current average prices, the pump prices for petrol, effective Wednesday, will be as follows:

95 petrol: 562 Ft/litre (EUR 1.49)
Gas oil: 587 Ft/litre (EUR 1.55)

As we wrote earlier, most petrol stations will implement the excise duty increase in two stages. Therefore, anticipate a 21 HUF rise for both fuel types next Monday; for additional information, refer to the details HERE.

In today’s update, the Hungarian Central Statistical Office disclosed that the calendar-adjusted volume of fuel retail sales in November 2023 was 21.4 percent lower than in the same period of the previous year; for more details, click HERE.

January 8, 2024

This year’s first major police traffic checks are coming soon – ROADPOL actions

Motorists, as is customary, encounter various European traffic checks annually lasting a week – these are the upcoming 2024 ROADPOL actions.

Lorries and buses

ROADPOL has pulished its plans and dates for 2024, with the initial focus on lorries and buses scheduled from 19th to 25th February 2024.

During this operation, the police will target trucks and buses, scrutinising compliance with regulations binding professional drivers. Authorities will pay specific attention to drivers’ adherence to rest periods, rules regarding the transport of hazardous materials and scrutiny of entry and legality of stay in the country.

Needless to say, this operation doesn’t only concern heavy vehicles; motorists must also adhere to rules, otherwise they risk being ejected from the queue just as swiftly,” warns alapjarat.hu.

Seat belt check – 11-17 March 2024

In March, the police will shift focus from vehicle type to seat belts, ensuring proper usage. Besides proper equipment use, penalties may be imposed if the seat belt is faulty, stuck or broken.

Speed speed check – 15-21 April 2024

The Speed series of actions remains an important part of ROADPOL’s annual plan, as speeding has once again played a major role in the accident statistics for the first half of this year.

A 24-hour SpeedMarathon check is scheduled for 19 April.

Recent police announcements suggest a rise in criminal activities like robbery, theft or assault in Hungary, marking certain areas as crime-ridden. Here are the most crime-ridden areas of the country.

Read also – Hungarian Rhapsody: A Hungarian special edition of Ferrari 296 GTB – PHOTOS

January 8, 2024

These new motorways will be ready in Hungary in 2024

Hungary will build new motorways this year: here is a list of them. However, the length of these newly-built segments will only be 30 kilometres in 2024. The first new segments will be inaugurated at the beginning of the year. They are the last section of the M6 and the last but one segment of the M44 motorways.

According to Világgazdaság, currently, ongoing building projects concern 123 kilometres of motorway. They will finish in the next few years. According to the economy-focused media outlet, in the next few weeks, 20 kilometres of the M6 motorway will be opened to traffic. The completion of M6 will help to travel to Croatia and Serbia more easily from Budapest. Furthermore, a segment of the M44 motorway between Szentkirály and Lakitelek will also be ready. The technical handover happened last December in that section, even though the deadline was months later.

In the second half of the year, the Sopron-Austrian border section of the M85 highway will also be ready. Unfortunately, neither the M6 nor the M85 continues after the border. But it is good news for many people that they reach the Croatian and the Austrian border.

Death road to be replaced by motorway

Hungary’s “death road”, main road nr 4, will also become a motorway on its entire length. Work is in progress on 34.29 kilometres there, between Törökszentmiklós and Kisújszállás. M4 is connecting the Romanian border with Budapest. Traffic is heavy there, especially because of the many trucks and lorries commuting there and shipping goods between the East and the West.

The Törökszentmiklós-Kisújszállás segment costs HUF 133.9 billion (EUR 354 million), and Duna Aszfalt has 36 months to finish it. Therefore, it will be probably ready by 2026 summer. Provided that happens, only a relatively short, 60 kilometres segment connecting Berettyóújfalu and Kisújszállás will remain single-lane.

M49 will provide faster access between the Hungarian Nyíregyháza and Szatmárnémeti (Satu Mare) in Romania. A 45-kilometre-long segment of it in Hungary will connect Nyíregyháza with the Romanian border. Szatmárnémeti is just approximately 10 kilometres away from the border. Work started in Hungary in early 2023. The contractor is Duna Aszfalt. The first section between Nyíregyháza and Ököritófülpös is 28.15 kilometres and will be ready by 2026 autumn. The procurement process for the second stage connecting Ököritófülpös with the border is ongoing. Therefore, the relevant contracts might be signed this summer.

On the M44 motorway, a shorter, 4.6 kilometres long section was ready in December. The building of a longer, 32.2 km section between Szentkirály and Kecskemét started in 2022 by Hódút Ltd. It will be ready by early-2025.

Budapest-Bosnia on motorway

M85 will reach the Austrian border this year. However, the project was more difficult than expected because the consortium of contractors (Dömpet Ltd, Pannon-Doprastav Ltd and Subterra-Raab Ltd) had to build a 780-metre-long tunnel. The original cost was HUF 50 billion (EUR 132 million), which grew by HUF 4.5 billion (EUR 11.9 million) lately. This investment will be ready this autumn.

M6 will connect the Croatian border with Budapest this January, but the Croatian continuation of the road is not ready yet. 4.5 kilometres of it is in Croatia and will be ready by 2025. Then, you can travel on the motorway between Budapest and the Bosnian border.

Motorway length in Hungary became longer than in Austria. In Hungary, you can use 1850 kilometres. In Austria, that is “only” 1749 kilometres.

However, there is a halt in motorway building in Hungary. Between 2019 and 2021, the network extended by 430 kilometres. Between 2022 and 2024, that will be below 150 kilometres. That is probably because of the difficult economic situation in Hungary with high inflation, decreasing consumption and problems with the Hungarian budget.

That is why we cannot be sure when the government-promised M76 (Zalaegerszeg) and M100 projects will start.

Read also:

Hungarian motorways that will become toll roads in 2024, one-day vignette price – Read more HERE
Orbán cabinet purges Budapest ticket, pass scheme: chaos may come in March – Details in THIS article

January 6, 2024

Danube flooding: here is when Budapest’s main traffic route will reopen

The lower embankment of the River Danube will be reopened for traffic on both sides from Sunday, following the recent flooding of the river, the Budapest Metropolitan Office said.

The receding water level enables the public sanitation division of the Budapest public works company to start the clean-up of the lower embankment on Saturday morning, the statement said.

Over eighty workers will use thirty vehicles for removing sediment and sludge on both sides of the river after the flood, the statement added.

The mayor’s office asked Budapest residents to stay away from the area during the clean-up operation.

Read also:

The most horrid floods in Hungarian history – Read more HERE
Danube reached 693cm in Budapest, breaking its banks – Details and photo gallery in THIS article

Here is Gergely Karácsony’s relevant Facebook post:

December 30, 2023

Budapest public transport changes from today: here is everything you need to know

Budapest traffic travel European summer no-go zones visitor numbers

Budapest’s public transport system, one of the world’s best in its category, will significantly change this weekend due to the New Year’s Eve festivities. We collected everything you need to know about the modifications in the article below.

According to BKK, the Budapest Transport Company, public transport will serve passenger needs just like in the previous years.

Today, BKK buses, trams, metros, and trolley buses will commute according to their school holiday timetable.

However, on Sunday, popular lines will carry passengers all night. The measure concerns metro lines M1, M2, M3, and M4, trams 4, 6, 14, 17 (between Bécsi Street and the City Hall of Budafok), 47, 50, 56A. Furthermore, trolley Bus 80 will also commute during the entire night between Örs Vezér Square and Blaha Lujza Square. The extension will apply on bus lines 7 (Újpalota-Döbrentei Square), 8E. Moreover, HÉV lines will also operate all night, based on the information provided by MÁV-HÉV.

According to BKK, vehicles will run more frequently on the following lines on New Year’s Eve: trams 4, 6, and 17, and buses 8E, 85, and 224.

Airport shuttles 100E and 200E will commute following their timetable.

Here is everything you need to know about the night transport services on New Year’s Eve in Budapest:

Budapest public transport on New Year's Eve (Copy) — Photo: bkk.hu

On 1 January, daytime lines will operate according to their holiday schedule. The Buda Castle funicular will be open until 3 PM. You may check out some photos of the renewed funicular in THIS article.

Between 2 and 5 January, public transport will follow its school holiday schedule.

Read also:

We wrote HERE that tram no. 2 in Budapest was not running due to the flooding of the Danube
In THIS article, you may read about where you still have to pay for parking in Budapest during the festivities

December 29, 2023