Published: December 21 2023
The Ministry of Construction and Transport (ÉKM) is planning to withdraw MÁV and Volán services from Budapest, which will result in higher costs and worse public transport in the city.
Implications of the Withdrawal
The withdrawal of MÁV and Volán services will have several negative consequences for public transport in Budapest. It will lead to double season tickets, increased expenses for public transport, the cancellation of HÉV replacement services, the end of single ticket and pass purchases, the decline of digital passenger information, and the disconnection of the capital and the surrounding area.
Impact on HÉV Trains
The decision to withdraw MÁV and Volán services will particularly affect those who used HÉV trains on a daily basis. Residents of areas like Csepel and Békásmegyer, as well as the northern part of Óbuda, heavily rely on the HÉV trains for convenient and quick travel to the city center. The change will also result in longer resolutions for traffic disruptions on HÉV lines.
Alternative Transportation Options
The withdrawal of MÁV and Volán services will leave many people in Budapest without convenient transportation options. For example, the railway line between Ferihegy and Nyugati railway station, which serves Budapest Airport and the outer districts, will no longer be available as an alternative to buses and the metro.
Conclusion
The planned withdrawal of MÁV and Volán services from Budapest will have significant implications for the city's public transport system. The loss of these services will lead to higher costs, decreased convenience, and longer travel times for residents and commuters.
Questions & Answers
What is the Ministry of Construction and Transport's plan for public transport in Budapest? The Ministry of Construction and Transport plans to withdraw MÁV and Volán services from Budapest, which would make public transport in the city more expensive and worse.
What is the hybrid transport contract with the capital that the ÉKM will not renew? The hybrid transport contract allowed for the acceptance of BKK tickets and season tickets on MÁV, HÉV, and Volán trains, among others. It also provided a unified transport network, harmonised timetables, transfer points, common stops and terminals, and unified traffic management for commuters between Budapest and the surrounding municipalities.
What are the potential consequences of the withdrawal of MÁV and Volán services in Budapest? The withdrawal of these services could lead to double season tickets, increasingly expensive public transport, the cancellation of HÉV replacement services, the end of single ticket and pass purchase, the decline of digital passenger information, and the disconnection of the capital and the agglomeration.
Who will be most disadvantaged by the withdrawal of the HÉV trains in Budapest? People living in the outer districts of Budapest, such as Csepel or the northern part of Óbuda, including the residential area of Békásmegyer, will be most disadvantaged by the withdrawal of the HÉV trains. These areas have large housing estates with tens of thousands of residents, and the HÉV trains provide a convenient and quick way to reach the city centre.
What would be the impact of the withdrawal of the HÉV trains on resolving traffic disruptions? The withdrawal of the HÉV trains would make it take much longer than at present to resolve traffic disruptions on the HÉV lines. In the event of an accident, vehicles would have to be re-routed from another Volánbus operated service, causing delays and inconveniences for commuters.
