The Budapest Agglomeration Railway Strategy (BAVS) sets the goals for the railway and HÉV development of Budapest and the metropolitan agglomeration by 2040, according to the recently published Hungarian Gazette . The most important part of the strategy to develop the suburban rail network, which will double the number of cities by train arrivals and forth returnees - said Balazs Fürjes , Minister of State responsible for the development of the metropolitan agglomeration of Budapest on his Facebook page.

In connection with the strategy now adopted by the government, the Secretary of State emphasized that the railway should once again become an important means of transport within Budapest and a much more used means of travel between Budapest and the agglomeration.  

The most important part of the strategy is the development of the suburban railway network (Source: Balázs Fürjes / Facebook)

Fürjes explained that today it is almost impossible to get to and from the outer districts and the agglomeration. Public transport is unreliable, so it is not surprising that one million people travel by car from the agglomeration and the outer districts to the inner city every day.

 “The city center is paralyzed by too many simultaneous road closures in the capital, traffic restrictions, and lane closures criticized by many. Not only are we wasting our time, but the air is getting worse and there is tremendous stress in getting to work or getting home. The situation will only get worse by itself: the population of the outer districts and the settlements around the capital is constantly growing. This challenge needs to be addressed, and in this the railway is the gold reserve of the city and its surroundings, ” he emphasized.

The Újpalota railway stop was completed last October, from where you can reach Újpest in seven minutes (Source: Balázs Fürjes / Facebook) 

The Secretary of State believes that the solution is the continuous development of public transport, making it more attractive, the construction of the missing northern (Aquincum) and southern (Galvan) border bridges, the associated boulevard elements, thus relieving the city center, and the construction of a large number of P + R, B + R car parks on external traffic nodes. He also highlighted the construction of a railway tunnel connecting Kelenföld, South and West railway stations, which will realize a plan of more than 100 years. An integrated tariff community is planned, so a single pass or ticket for the train, bus, metro or tram would be enough during the trip. 

As part of the comprehensive Budapest Agglomeration Railway Strategy now adopted by the government: at least four trains will depart from Budapest from each suburban railway station. There will be at least three metro lines available without a transfer. The number of people arriving in Budapest by train and not by car from the agglomeration doubles.

Expected results of the developments affecting the agglomerations (Source: Balázs Fürjes / Facebook)

In his post as secretary of state, he also added that the procurement of modern vehicles started by the government will continue, many people are already using the new Flirt and KISS trains, but the railway stations are also being constantly renovated. They will create much larger capacity through stations instead of the current main stations, develop the infrastructure and create a service that will network Budapest.

Fürjes emphasized that the national governments of the next two decades will spend HUF 3 trillion (another thousand billion for HÉV development) on the significant development of transport in Budapest and the urban area, mainly from EU funds.

Concept plan of Népliget railway station (Source: Balázs Fürjes / Facebbok) 

The more than 200 detailed short-, medium- and long-term measures brought together by the strategy have been developed jointly with EU transport bodies by experts from the Budapest Development Center, JASPERS, MÁV and ITM, as well as a six-month civil and professional consultation, Fürjes summed up.  

Cover photo: The Budapest Agglomeration Railway Strategy (BAVS) defines the goals of the railway and HÉV development of Budapest and the metropolitan agglomeration until 2040