EUR 190 million renovation on the Budapest Metro Line 3

The Municipal Council of Budapest has voted to accept the financing of renovations on the Budapest Metro Line 3 (North-South Line or Blue Line). Based on the decision, the government borrows no less than EUR 190 million (HUF 60 billion) from the European Union so that they can finance the refurbishment of the old carriages, origo.hu reported.

The start date of the renovation project of Metro Line 3 is 1 July 2015 and is scheduled to be completed by 31 December 2017. The infrastructure upgrade will be carried out by the Budapest Transport Company (BKV Zrt.).

The results of the vote of the Municipal Council of Budapest: 29 members voted, 27 in favour, 1 against, and 1 abstention.

The Blue Line runs in a general north-south direction parallel to the Danube on the Pest side, roughly following Váci Avenue south from Újpest to the city centre, then following the route of Üllõi Avenue southeast to Kõbánya-Kispest.

The construction of Metro Line 3 lasted from 1970 to 1990. The first section was opened in 1976 with six stations. The southern direction was complemented with five more stations in 1980, and the northern one in 1981, 1984, and 1990 with nine additional stations, reaching its current length of 20 stations and 16.5 km. It is currently the longest and busiest underground system in Budapest.

The reconstruction of the rundown stations and the replacement of the old metro cars has been an ongoing issue in the past several years as constant mechanical failures have occurred year by year.

based on the article of origo.hu
translated by Gábor Hajnal

Photo: Daily News Hungary

Source: origo.hu