BREAKING NEWS: Budapest and the Government reach agreement on new public transport season tickets
Hundreds of thousands of passengers have been following closely the skirmishes between the Government and the Budapest management. For a long time, it appeared unlikely that an agreement would be reached; however, it now appears that a passenger-friendly deal has been sealed.
Today, János Lázár, the Minister of Construction and Transport, and Gergely Karácsony, the Mayor of Budapest, met up and forged a completely new, comprehensive agreement regarding the dynamics of public transport in Budapest and the conurbation.
According to the press release, this agreement will make public transport more affordable and convenient for hundreds of thousands of passengers.
Key highlights of the agreement include:
- The Budapest season ticket extends its validity across the capital on MÁV, Volán, HÉV trains, in addition to BKK.
- Starting 1 March 2024, the monthly season ticket for Pest County and the national season ticket will be applicable on BKK lines. Both parties will facilitate the sale of these passes through their respective sales channels.
- Instead of cost-based accounting, which has been the subject of much controversy, the parties will now proportionally share the revenue from the Budapest season ticket, Pest county season ticket and the national season ticket, along with the related fare supplement, based on the specificities of the area of validity.
- Starting in 2024, the parties commit to implementing an accounting system aimed at covering the costs of public transport in Budapest and the agglomeration not covered by revenue.
The ministry and the capital will also settle the settlement disputes over the previous agglomeration agreement, which expired at the end of last year. As a result of the new, comprehensive agreement, the Municipality of Budapest will pay HUF 5.57 billion to MÁV as agglomeration cost compensation for 2022-2023.
The settlement of disputes over the expired agglomeration agreement from the previous year will involve the Municipality of Budapest paying HUF 5.57 billion (EUR 14,305,441) to MÁV for agglomeration cost compensation for 2022-2023.
Read also:
- Budapest mayor withdraws public transport changes in the capital
- Bus drivers’ strike continues in Hungary on Monday, with many bus services cancelled – details HERE
The technical details of this agreement will be worked out between the Ministry and the municipality, with the involvement of the transport companies, so that it can enter into force on 1 March 2024.
Tourists will notably benefit, as they will now be able to travel on all means of public transport within Budapest for the whole month with a Pest County monthly pass (9450 HUF/24.23 EUR), which will also be valid for trains and buses across the county.
UPDATE
Minister Lázár lauded the deal as ensuring a “simpler, better, and fairer” system compared to the previous one. While the Budapest pass will continue to hold validity throughout the capital, with BKK now accepting the Pest County pass and the national pass, the minister said on Facebook after the agreement had been signed.
He added that the agreement also serves as a model for all rural settlements and paves the way for a “national tariff community”.
Commuters from outside Budapest can now utilise a national pass for travel on Budapest public transport, while commuters from the agglomeration can enjoy more cost-effective travel, he said.
In addition, Budapest residents can traverse the city and beyond with a single county pass.
Brutal record delays at Hungarian State Railways: 5 years and 8 months in 2023
MÁV (Hungarian State Railways) trains were late by around 3 million minutes, or 5 years and 8 months, in 2023. This is the worst result since the current methodology was introduced in 2017. Looking at the data for the last six years, there was an improvement under the Covid pandemic, but since then, the railway company’s performance has deteriorated dramatically.
In 2023, MÁV trains were late by a total of 3 million minutes, which corresponds to about 5 years and 8 months, far exceeding the values of previous years, Telex reports. They add that the data is deceptive: since 2017, a methodology has been used by the railway company in which only delays longer than 6 minutes are counted. This means that a train arriving 5 minutes 59 seconds later is still considered punctual in the statistics.
Read also:
- Minister to chop up one of the biggest Hungarian state-owned transport companies
- VIDEO: MÁV operates a special train to the Rijeka Carnival
Overall, trains in Hungary were 80% more late last year than in 2020; that is, if we only count delays of more than 6 minutes.
In fact, in 2017, MÁV was only 3.5 years behind schedule, which has been significantly increased by 2023. However, last year’s delay of almost 6 years does not seem so much, because it compares to 176.5 years of total journey time.
Minister to chop up one of the biggest Hungarian state-owned transport companies
János Lázár, Hungary’s construction and development minister, is to chop up the Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) because he believes that it cannot continue to operate in its current form. However, something else may be in the background.
The Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) struggles with lots of problems. There is not enough workforce to operate the trains and the system. Moreover, there is not enough money to develop the outdated rail lines and electric cables. As a result, delays are regular. For example, Austria detached the Hungarian railway system for weeks from the Western European network, so passengers needed to change trains in Vienna. We wrote about that HERE in detail.
According to telex.hu, Artúr Kikina, MÁV’s new deputy CEO responsible for railway network operation and investments, said in a conference that MÁV would operate as a holding from this autumn. Mr Kikina worked for János Lázár as deputy secretary before.
Read also:
- Key changes in Hungarian public transport summarised in 10 points – Read more HERE
- Warning: Hungarian trains affected by German rail strike
Last September saw a war between Lázár and the leadership of MÁV, during which the minister decapitated the state-owned company. However, he could not send away Zoltán Pafféri, the CEO of MÁV, who has good relationships with Fidesz leaders.
Therefore, Lázár and his former deputy secretary would dismember one of Hungary’s biggest companies. One of the new firms will be responsible for the portfolio of Mr Kikina (railway network operation and investments). Meanwhile, the remaining part will become empty, but Pafféri can remain CEO.
VIDEO: Large railway construction project reaches new phase in Hungary
The next phase of the development of the Southern Circular Railway, a major railway construction project in Hungary, started on Monday, 15 January, the Ministry of Construction and Transport (Építési és Közlekedési Minisztérium, ÉKM) said in a statement. The aim is to upgrade the railway from two to three, and even four tracks.
The railway line between Ferencváros and Kelenföld stations in Budapest will be renewed and extended, a new Danube bridge has been built, and three new stations will be built, called Nádorkert, Közvágóhíd and Népliget, Magyar Építők reports.
On 15 January, the next phase of the Southern Circular Railway development started, according to a statement by the Ministry of Construction and Transport. The project aims to rebuild the railway line by extending it from two to three tracks, sometimes four. The works come after the project received its third environmental permit on 24 November 2023.
What is the importance of the Southern Circular Railway?
The aim of the development is to increase the number of suburban trains running between the agglomeration and Budapest, as well as to make the railway competitive and play a greater role in Budapest’s transport system through new stops and connections. In addition, the line section will also be a key element of the Budapest-Hegyeshalom-Rajka railway line (which is the most important line of the country), and is therefore also of major international importance.
“The project has the potential to increase freight traffic capacity to and through Budapest, while enhancing passenger transport options, including improving transport between Kelenföld and Ferencváros, and providing better connections to metro and HÉV lines, while respecting the interests of the public,” ÉKM said in a recent statement.
Read also:
- Important changes coming to the Austro-Hungarian railway network
- PHOTOS: Budapest’s newest multifunctional centre to be built above Puskás Ferenc Stadion metro station
The project in numbers
The project involves the construction of 600 metres of 4 tracks on the Pest side, 1800 metres of 3 tracks on the Buda side and a further 1700 metres of 4 tracks. In addition, three new stations will be built: Közvágóhíd and Népliget in Pest, and Nádorkert in Buda. What is more, a special noise barrier will be built over a length of approximately 1500 metres.
In Pest, two railway bridges will be built and renovated, while in Buda, five will be built and renovated. The interventions will involve widening the existing two-track structures to three or four tracks, with the construction of new superstructures.
How positive is the development project?
However, as Átlátszó wrote back in October 2023, the reception of the new project was not all too positive. On the one hand, hundreds of trees will have to be felled along the line, and “the track widening would take place directly next to residential houses in one stretch, while there could also be land expropriations in the countryside”. On the other hand, while the official reason for the extension is to increase the number of passenger trains, the reality includes a “shocking increase of freight traffic”. According to Átlátszó, the Budapest-Belgrade line will serve freight traffic from China.
International railway services from Hungary affected by German strike
The planned walkout of German railway workers from Wednesday morning (24 January) until early Monday evening (29 January) will also affect the timetable of international trains from and through Hungary, the Hungarian Railway Company, MÁV, wrote on its Facebook page Mávinform.
Changes to railway timetables 24-29 January
Railjet xpress trains are said to be cancelled on the German section, with Munich services running only between Budapest and Salzburg, Mávinform reported in a Facebook post. Hungária EuroCity trains only run between Budapest and Prague, and Metropol EuroNight trains do not carry the Berlin group of coaches. The Salzburg coach group of the Kálmán Imre EuroNight train only runs between Budapest and Salzburg.
According to Deutsche Bahn (DB), the German railway company, significant disruptions and longer journey times can be expected on the German rail network during the strike, including on long-distance and regional services. Passengers are advised to postpone their journey if possible or to choose alternative travel options.
Those travelling to Germany should check the DB and MÁV information platforms and customer services, Mávinform added.
Read also:
- VIDEO: MÁV operates a special train to the Rijeka Carnival
- Important changes coming to the Austro-Hungarian railway network
According to a previous statement by Mávinform, tickets and reservations already booked by 24 January for travel to, from or via Germany on the evening of 23 January and between 24 and 29 January can be returned free of charge and used before the booked date on 22 and 23 January or until 5 February on the route indicated on the ticket.
Tickets purchased online can be redeemed in the mobile app and by emailing es********@ma*******.hu. Validation of tickets for other times is handled by international ticket offices.
More information on ticket validity and transport arrangements: bahn.de/service/fahrplaene/aktuell, mavinform.hu/DB_arbeitsniederlegung
Strike in Germany
As reported by Index, German train conductors will go on a record six-day strike from Wednesday morning until early Monday evening after their union rejected the latest pay and working time offer from state railway company Deutsche Bahn (DB). Drivers at freight rail company DB Cargo already walked off on Tuesday evening.
The railway company held its longest strike so far in 2015: they were on strike for five days.
According to an expert from a German think tank, the strike could cause up to a billion euros in damage, given that the situation in the Red Sea has disrupted other transport routes.
Important changes coming to the Austro-Hungarian railway network
In the future, electric trains will replace diesel trains from Austria to Sopron in Hungary.
“The Mattersburgerbahn railway line, which runs from Wiener Neustadt through Mattersburg, via the border crossing Loipersbach-Schattendorf to Sopron, is being modernised,” magyarhirlap.hu reports, citing a report by Austrian Public Radio (ORF).
As a result of the improvements, several level crossings will be replaced by underpasses and overpasses, which will increase the safety of road users. Six Austrian railway stations along the line will also be renewed, and all of them will have barrier-free platforms. The renovation will benefit many Hungarians.
Read also:
- VIDEO: There was one piece of good news about MÁV at the end of the year
- Warning: Hungarian trains affected by German rail strike
Warning: Hungarian trains affected by German rail strike
The German rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) has announced a strike until Friday, with significant disruption and delays expected on the affected sections. According to the Hungarian State Railways, MÁV, some Hungarian services will also be affected.
A walkout has been announced by the German railways from 2 AM on Wednesday until 6 PM on Friday evening. The reason given was that DB had not used the Christmas period to make a negotiable offer, Index reports. GDL members involved in freight transport started the strike as early as 7 PM on Tuesday evening.
The walkout in Germany also affects some MÁV services,
the Hungarian railway company said on its website on Tuesday.
DB’s walkout affects the following trains:
- Kálmán Imre EuroNight, which operates direct wagons between Budapest-Stuttgart-Budapest,
- Railjet xpress between Budapest-Vienna-Salzburg-Munich-Budapest,
- the Metropol EuroNight, which operates the direct Budapest-Berlin-Budapest services,
- and the Hungária EuroCity trains running between Budapest-Hamburg-Budapest.
Passengers travelling to Germany should check the DB and MÁV information platforms and customer services, they added.
Read also:
VIDEO: There was one piece of good news about MÁV at the end of the year
So far this year, there have been 61 accidents at level crossings on the MÁV network, a third fewer than last year, and the number of fatalities has also fallen significantly, by almost a quarter, MÁV told MTI on Thursday.
It said that this year, nine people were killed in accidents, seven suffered serious injuries, 12 suffered minor injuries and there were 35 cases of property damage. In the same period last year, there were 90 accidents at level crossings, in which almost four times as many people lost their lives as this year.
Last year, 19 of the 34 victims, including children, were killed as passengers due to driver inattention and failure to obey the rules of the Highway Code. There have been tragic cases in which four, five or seven people have died in the vehicle involved in an accident, they added.
They also said that the number of broken level crossings is still not decreasing, with an average of 800 cases a year, a figure reached by the end of November this year.
“The most common reason is that drivers drive into the level crossing against the signal of the light barrier, pushing away the closing bar,” the statement says.
Read more:
Christmas miracle: Scaffolding removed from façade of iconic Nyugati Railway Station – PHOTOS
The reconstruction of Nyugati Railway Station has reached another milestone. This year’s work has completely renewed the Teréz körút façade, the towers and the main staircase. Thus, the station will once again welcome passengers in its original splendour during the festive season.
The Teréz körút façade and main staircase of the Nyugati Railway Station were completed by Christmas, and the renovation of the towers was also finished, MÁV reports.
The renovation of the passenger hall and façade of the Nyugati Railway Station is being carried out in several phases, with many details being restored to their original appearance over the past few years. The renewal of the Teréz körút façade has now been fully completed: the works carried out in 2023 included the reconstruction of the main façade, the façade towers and the main staircase, the statement reads.
The façade of the part of the building facing the Teréz körút, which has been hidden behind a scaffold for years, has undergone a complete renovation from the roof to the pavement level, including the towers. The renovation has involved the work of many building specialists and more than fifty restorers to restore the building to its original grandeur and preserve it for posterity.
Work on the Teréz körút façade of the railway station, the plinth, windows and the main staircase ascent was also completed, completing the unparalleled view of one of Budapest’s most beautiful public buildings for the holidays.
Read also:
Complete overhaul of Hungarian public transport tickets coming, extending free travel
There are signs that Hungarian public transport will change fundamentally in the near future. The aim is to keep only a few of the current around 100 fare types. At the same time, free travel would be extended to children under 14.
Public transport ticket system to be changed
According to the preliminary timetable, the government will discuss on Wednesday the fare policy of the state public transport–MÁV and Volán. It was previously known that this might include the extension of free public transport for under-14s, vg.hu reports (until now, those concerned have been able to travel at half price). The main aim is to keep only a few of the current 100 or so types of tariffs.
Minister of Construction and Transport János Lázár spoke openly about his proposal when asked by Világgazdaság at a press event. However, the reply from the minister also revealed that there is much more to it than free access to MÁV train and Volán buses for under-14s. Lázárr said that the entire fare policy would be discussed at Wednesday’s cabinet meeting (and that Wednesday had already passed).
Too many unnecessary fares
According to János Lázár, four million country and county passes have been sold. This has opened up the question of how the fee system should evolve in the future. In other words, if roughly all passengers use these two types of season ticket, what is the need for additional ticket types? This is what is being discussed.
The problem, he said, is that there are currently about a hundred different tariffs available at the MÁV-Volán group, most of which have become meaningless. The minister wants to simplify the charging system. In practice, this would mean that only a few simple fare types and tickets would remain. At the same time, free transport for under-14s would be opened up and, of course, free transport for over-65s would be maintained.
New MÁV and Volán tickets
Exactly what these new fare types and tickets would look like is not yet known. The minister has only shared basic ideas about them. According to him, the tickets should be understandable, transparent, accessible, affordable to everybody and should work in a professional way.
The simplification of the MÁV-Volán Group’s ticket products would also make the digital switchover much easier. The question is whether the government will support the transport minister in this. Lázár said that he hoped the cabinet would support it. He added that free public transport extended to under-14s would not cost much.
Even until now, travel for children between 0–6 has been free, and for those between 6–14, a 50% fee applies. Thus, compared to this, the 100 percent exemption does not seem like a significant expense. On the contrary, it could be a major step forward in making public transport more popular.
Read also:
Iconic facade of Nyugati railway station renovated, scaffolding removed – PHOTO
The building of the Nyugati railway station is one of the most imposing buildings in the Hungarian capital. For a good while now, it has been undergoing renovation. Finally, the protective canopy in front of the Teréz körút facade, which obstructs pedestrian traffic, has been removed. The main entrance of the building is now visible.
Thanks to the renovation of the Nyugati railway station, the Eiffel-designed building is steadily regaining its original appearance, MÁV reports on its official Facebook page. Another important milestone has been reached in the renovation of the pylon buildings that enclose the track hall: the protective roof on the right-hand side of the building has also been demolished.
This will allow an iconic part of the building, a major architectural and technical monument with national heritage protection, to be seen once again.
The plinth and the ground floor windows are still to be repaired; however, pedestrians can now walk more comfortably on Teréz körút.
Work on the Teréz körút facade of the railway station, the plinth, windows and the main staircase will continue in the coming weeks. They are expected to be completed before Christmas. This will complete the unrivalled spectacle of one of Budapest’s most beautiful public buildings by the holidays, MÁV writes.
Read also:
International train between Hungary and Romania ceases operation
From 10 December, when MÁV’s new timetable comes into force, trains between Mátészalka, Hungary and Nagykároly in Romania will stop running. The trains will only run to Tiborszállás, Hungary.
According to a statement of Közlekedő Tömeg (Travelling Masses) sent to Portfolio, the measure will result in the complete closure of public transport between the towns of Northern Partium, which is largely populated by Hungarians, and neighbouring settlements in Hungary.
In addition to the closure of this railway line, according to information from Közlekedő Tömeg, passenger transport will also be completely closed on the lines that were closed in August and have since been replaced by buses.
The measure, which is expected to come into force on 1 January and is again timed to coincide with the holidays, would be backed up by the low bus occupancy rate, according to the association.
The 2023/2024 timetable is available HERE, while the timetables for each line can be found HERE.
Read also:
Significant changes to international trains in MÁV’s new timetable
MÁV-START is set to roll out its new 2023/2024 timetable on 10 December, bringing forth a series of significant changes to international trains. The revisions not only reflect MÁV’s commitment to enhancing cross-border connectivity but also respond to the evolving needs of travelers.
Public input
For the second time, MÁV-START has considered public opinions and suggestions, collected through both online consultations in July and district-specific meetings. This inclusive approach aims to ensure that train frequencies and departure times align more closely with passengers’ preferences, Economx reports.
Catering services and overnight train
One notable change includes the resumption of catering trolley services on EuroCity trains connecting Budapest to Vienna and Záhony to Vienna. Additionally, passengers can look forward to the reintroduction of the Metropol Euronight overnight train, complete with sleeper and couchette coaches. These enhancements aim to provide a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for international travelers.
Improved connectivity to Slovakia
Air-conditioned and low-floor trains will now operate more frequently from Hegyeshalom to the Slovak capital. This upgrade not only adds to the comfort of the journey but also ensures more efficient travel for those crossing the Hungarian-Slovak border. Moreover, travellers with bicycles will appreciate the inclusion of six bicycle coaches on trains heading to Košice. This initiative aligns with the growing trend of eco-friendly and active transportation, catering to the diverse preferences of international passengers.
New international connection
We reported earlier this month that Hungary is planning to introduce regular train services between Subotica (Serbia) and Szeged. This time, a significant addition to the international network is the Tisza-Szamos EuroCity connection. This route, linking Vienna–Budapest-Keleti–Záhony–Chop stations, opens up new travel possibilities and introduces a direct connection to Kyiv from Chop station. This development is poised to streamline journeys and further integrate Hungary into the broader European rail network.
Impact of Cluj-Oradea railway reconstruction
While introducing improvements, MÁV also addresses challenges. The Romanian State Railways’ reconstruction of the Cluj-Oradea railway line is expected to affect train services for the next three years. Passengers traveling to Cluj-Napoca and Szeklerland will experience detours and increased journey times during this period.
To keep travelers informed, the new train timetable is easily accessible on the MÁV-Volán Group website. Continuous updates on ELVIRA and the MÁV app ensure that passengers can plan their journeys with the latest information. MÁV-START’s significant changes to international trains in the new timetable mark a transformative phase for cross-border rail travel. From improved services and resumed amenities to the introduction of new connections, these adjustments cater to the diverse needs of international commuters.
A freight train collided with a passenger train in Hungary, driver in life-threatening condition
In Hungary, a freight train has hit a stationary passenger train. Several people were injured, including the driver of one of the trains, who is in a life-threatening condition.
In Hungary, a freight train collided with a passenger train near the village of Sáp. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning at half-past ten when, for reasons as yet unclear, the freight train disregarded a sign forbidding entry and collided with a stationary passenger train waiting there, which was en route from Biharkeresztes to Püspökladány.
Both train drivers, a conductor and several passengers were injured in the accident. Pál Győrfi, head of communications and public relations at the National Ambulance Service (OMSZ), informed MTI that eight ambulance units promptly arrived at the scene of the accident. Four people were taken to the Berettyóújfalu hospital. Firefighters used a crowbar to lift one man out of the passenger train.
The freight train collided with the passenger train at 60 km/h. MÁV is providing emergency assistance to injured passengers and workers while the investigation continues. Around 30 people are working on the recovery, first to free the damaged passenger train and then to pull the freight train wagon aside. The railway track was damaged to the tune of 10 million forints, hvg.hu reports.
The collision occurred at a speed of 60 km/h, and MÁV is providing emergency assistance to injured passengers and workers while investigations are ongoing. Around 30 people are working on the recovery, first to free the damaged passenger train and then to pull the freight train wagon aside. The railway track suffered damages amounting to HUF 10 million (EUR 26,568.58), as reported by hvg.hu.
Due to the accident, traffic is currently suspended on the Püspökladány-Biharkeresztes line.
Regular train services come between Hungary and Serbia
Regular train services will be introduced between Subotica and Szeged, border crossings will remain open longer and a common electronic toll system will be introduced.
Connecting Serbia and Hungary
Hungarian and Serbian ministers signed an agreement in Belgrade for cooperation on the electronic toll system, alongside discussions about the schedule for the railway line connecting Subotica and Szeged.
“Hungary sees Serbia as a strategic ally, and an important objective of this strategic cooperation is to make Hungary Serbia’s western corridor”, said János Lázár in Belgrade. The Hungarian Minister of Construction and Transport added that the border crossing between Horgos and Röszke handles the most traffic at the external Schengen borders.
The railway service between Szeged and Szabad will start in the first days of December at the latest, economx.hu reports. Initially, the journey will take 80 minutes, later reduced to 60 minutes, with services running every three hours.
The Hungarian government may acquire real estate
The government is preparing to amend a decree regarding the development of the railway line between Budapest and Belgrade.
The railway construction, deemed a priority investment for the national economy, might face opposition. According to Népszava, the annex listing the real estate affected by the project will be extended.
The list covers more than a thousand properties. Almost half of the land to be expropriated is located in Budapest, in the IX, XX and mostly in the XXIII districts. In addition, the annex includes land in and around Dömsöd, Kiskőrös, Kiskunhalas and Taksony.
According to the newspaper, the property owners concerned by the expropriation procedure cannot anticipate favourable outcomes.. For instance, the municipality of Kelebia received a total of HUF 1.316 million (EUR 3,493.61) for 3,000 square metres of forest, or HUF 440 (EUR 1.17) per square metre.
Main Budapest railway station shuts down for the weekend
One of Budapest’s main railway stations, the Déli railway station on the Buda side of the city, will not launch and welcome trains during the weekend. That is because of a complex maintenance work scheduled to start on Saturday.
According to turizmus.com, Mávinform announced the change on the official website of the Hungarian State Railways (MÁV). Most trains’ final stop will be Kelenföld railway station instead of the Déli railway station closer to the city centre. Furthermore, they will also start their journey from there to the suburbs.
That is because of a complex maintenance work starting on Saturday. Ongoing work will be loud even at night. Therefore, the state-owned company asked for the patience and understanding of the locals. The change will considerably affect some Friday night and Monday early morning trains, but they did not share further details.
Between the Kelenföld railway station and the Déli railway station, replacement buses will commute during the weekend. They will carry passengers between the two stations from dawn until late at night in every half hour. Their travel time will be 16 minutes. You should search for the S300 sign to find them. The first morning buses will start at 4.05 from the Déli railway station and 4.25 from the Kelenföld station. The last buses will depart at 11.50 PM from the Déli station and 11.55 PM from the Kelenföld station. The modified timetables are available on the official website of MÁV and in the MÁV app. You can find them HERE.
People may use the waiting room, the customer’s office, and the ticket vending machines at the Déli railway station even during the closure.
We wrote HERE that provided you would like to evade the railway chaos between Budapest and Vienna, you should travel by bus. In THIS article, we wrote that the Hungarian railway system will be separated from the Western railway network longer than expected before.
Belgrade–Budapest railway constrution in huge trouble? Xi Jinping rejected Orbán
The Chinese say no to Orbán’s big rescue plan for the Budapest–Belgrade railway line. There are quite a few complications with the construction of the railroad, and Orbán wants to take on Western contractors for the job. Xi Jinping does not.
The Budapest–Belgrade railway project started in 2014. That was when the government decided that enough is enough seeing the sorry state of said railway track. A year later, they came to an agreement regarding the reconstruction with the Chinese and Serbian leaders. However, the actual construction contract was only signed in 2019. The contract gave the project to a consortium of Chinese and Hungarian companies. According to Telex, the construction had a 750 billion Ft budget, which at the time was thought to be excessive, but actually turned out to be cutting it close to the bare minimum.
The 2019 construction agreement stated that the easier part in the division of labour, such as the laying of the tracks, would fall on the Hungarians. The more complex part of the work would be left to the Chinese. This involves the construction of complex safety and train control systems, which prove to be quite tricky. Especially in this case.
The European standard
The goal of the European Train Control System (ETCS) is mainly to avoid accidents and derailment and the like. For this reason, it has its own strict standards. The explanation for its complexity is the differing railway tracks and stations of each European country and region. Due to these, the ETCS requires every Member State to adhere to its standards. This way, every station has got to have its own circuits uniquely designed, approved and manufactured.
This the Chinese are not able to do. They do not have this kind of regulation system, because their railways are uniform in their region. For this simple reason, they don’t have the technology necessary to adhere properly to the European standards. It only complicates things that Hungary’s level crossing is connected to the safety- and train control system.
To conclude, they not only lack the expertise required for the safety systems, but level crossing is also foreign to them.
Read more about the topic HERE.
A multinational mistake
Now the construction has got to the stage where it’s time for these technologies to be implemented. However the Chinese can’t deliver, which obviously interferes greatly with the project of the Budapest–Belgrade railway. That’s why Orbán would like to go back on his word now, to try and salvage the future of the Budapest–Belgrade railway, by replacing the Chinese company with a European one.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán went to China partly to consult with Xi Jingpin about the modification of the contract.
However, in the end, it seems like Xi Jingpin didn’t approve of his plan.
Read more about Viktor Orbán’s visit to China HERE.
The big question now stands: Will the line ever be finished?
Right now, there are two main concerns about the impending completion of the project. The main is the European regulation. Since Xi Jinping probably won’t change his mind for Orbán, no matter how nicely he asks, and the Chinese can’t manufacture at a level accepted by the regulations, this is a huge uncertainty.
The other concern is the renovation of the Győr railway line. It is done by the same company as the Budapest–Belgrad line and it’s impossible to generate enough resources for both of them. That’s why part of the specialists had to leave to work on the Győr railway, leaving the Budapest–Belgrade railway understaffed.
With these concerns we honestly can’t be sure if the Budapest–Belgrad line will ever finish.
Read more about Hungarian railways HERE.
Chaos on the Vienna-Budapest railway line begins today?
A new phase of the Vienna-Budapest railway line reconstruction project started today. As a result, international trains will no longer commute between the Hungarian and Austrian capitals. Passengers will have to get on replacement buses between Szárliget and Biatorbágy. At night, they will have to do so between Szárliget and Budaörs.
According to Telex, the next phase of the Vienna-Budapest main railway line reconstruction started on Friday morning, Mávinform told MTI, the Hungarian News Agency. The project is carried out by workers and devices redirected from the Budapest-Belgrade railway development project. As a result, work there halted.
Since the reconstruction work affects both tracks from today, trains will not commute between Vienna and Budapest on this segment. Until 17 November, passengers must use replacement buses between Biatorbágy and Szárliget.
All passengers have to change to replacement buses
The revamp project started on 18 September and resulted in the railway schedule’s modification. Travel time increased, and passenger trains did not commute on the line. Therefore, people living in the suburbs and working in Budapest or vice versa had to use replacement buses. As a result, many traffic jams were created, and their travel time also increased significantly because public roads were not designed to serve that many people.
Furthermore, since freight trains use the Székesfehérvár-Komárom line during the Vienna-Budapest line’s revamp, passenger trains do not commute there. The journey takes 20-25 minutes longer because the stops of the replacement buses are farther. Even though there are accessible buses, bikes are not allowed on them, only baby carriages and wheelchairs. Freight trains on the Székesfehérvár-Komárom line will be louder and will commute even during the night. Here is MÁV‘s (the Hungarian State Railway’s) short video about the changes:
We wrote HERE that the Austrian state railway company, ÖBB, detached all Hungarian trains from the Western railway system because of their regular delays and that measure will last longer than previously expected. In THIS article, you may read about MÁV’s new leased locomotive that had a problem on its first trip