Traffic changes in Budapest – free buses and speed cameras

A number of smaller-scale changes are coming to public and car traffic in the Hungarian capital. We have gathered some of the more important ones you should pay attention to when making your way around Budapest.

Free bus ride in the Buda castle

BKV, the public transportation company of the city has launched a new trial vehicle. They are testing a new electronic midibus, namely an Isuzu Novociti Volt. The bus will be transporting passengers inside the Buda Castle District, on the same route as bus 16A.

The test ends on 24 April. Until this day, everyone is free to hop on and off the vehicle at any time they wish, without having to pay for a ticket. The line commutes between Széll Kálmán Square and Dísz Square.

On weekdays the first bus starts at 6:10 AM and the last one leaves at 8:46 PM. On Saturdays these change to 6:17 AM and 7:36 PM, while on Sundays to 8:18 AM and 11:36 PM. Passengers can access more information about the schedule on the Budapest Go mobile application.

The bus can transport up to a maximum of 51 personnel, providing 25 seats. The battery lasts for 200-350 kilometres and can be recharged in 2, 2.5 hours ideally, writes HVG.

Parliamentary hiatus

From this Friday, 14 April, trams 2, 2B and 23 will run with temporarily altered schedules. Due to construction works that are taking place at Kossuth Square (in front of the Parliament building), the aforementioned trams will only be commuting until Kossuth Lajos Square Station (Széchenyi pier), instead of going all the way to Jászai Mari Square.

The works are part of the preparation for Pope Francis’ visit to Budapest which is taking place on 28 April. Replacement buses on the affected route will not be provided. If somebody aims to approach the square from the Buda side, Budapest Transportation Centre recommends the use of metro M2. These changes are expected to last until 7 May, Index reports.

• Read also: Pope Francis to visit Hungary this spring

Slower traffic for a safer Budapest

Municipal governments of several districts in the capital are looking to slow down traffic in their area, to reduce the risk of accidents. They aim to achieve this with 4 distinct tools: speed cameras and boxes, speed reduction with signs and the use of physical objects.

In the II. district, seven new speed cameras will be installed from the beginning of June, at the following locations:

• Árpádfejedelem Street 12.
• Hidegkúti Street 128.
• Kapy Road 40.
• Máriaremetei Road 132.
• Nagykovácsi Road 4.
• Törökvész Road 31.
• Zöldlomb Street 24.

In the XVIII. district, a new speed camera will appear on Gyömrő Road soon, according to Deputy Mayor Péter Kőrös. They are also considering the implementation of speed boxes (trafibox). These are highly effective devices, as drivers can spot them from afar. They are also very tricky, as they may, or may not have cameras inside them. Regardless, they have a higher chance of convincing drivers to slow down when put in highly visible spaces.

Traffic signs limiting the maximum speed to 30 are also more likely to pop up in the near future. This is part of the transportation security plan of Gergely Karácsony, the Mayor of Budapest. In the VI. district, they are planning to implement these measures in all streets not used by public transportation. Several roads will also be affected in the XIII. district, writes Vezess.

Read also:

• Sky-high deficit: trams, buses, metros will stop in Budapest?
• Considerable changes in Budapest’s public transport from today