The government will provide 4.6 billion HUF for the construction plans of the connection between Metro line 2 and the suburban railway line to Gödöllő on Örs vezér Square, beyond modernising the suburban line – announced Gergely Gulyás, Minister for the Prime Minister's Office. The minister noted that the government's decision creates a real possibility for the investment to be completed within the 2021–2027 EU financial cycle, writes the MTI.

Render of the Örs vezér Square metro station on metro line 2 (Source: MTI/Prime Minister's Office)

Gergely Gulyás said that despite many disagreements, Budapest and the government have been forced to collaborate. The reason behind the disagreements is that the government believes Budapest's development has stalled in many areas where the capital’s council has significant influence. "There is significantly more rubbish, worse traffic jams and more homeless people on the streets of Budapest," he explained.

At the same time, the Minister emphasized that there are areas where they are forced to co-operate to develop Budapest. One of the most important of these is the development of public transport in the city.

Egyenes Street housing estate stop of the suburban railway, with transfer options to the souther ring railway, render (Source: MTI/Prime Minister's Office)

Gergely Gulyás said that this is why the government has decided to support the connection of the suburban railway line to Gödöllő and metro line 2. An agreement was reached between the government and the city council In the Budapest Public Development Council, following which the Budapest Development Centre will take over the planning and preparation of the renovation of the suburban railway lines to Gödöllő and Csömör, and connecting the tracks of the suburban railway with metro line 2.

Mr Gulyás noted, the Budapest city council halted the preparation of the investment in the autumn of 2019. The Public Development Council agreed that the government would take over the project in October 2020.

Rendered image of the Jókai Street stop (Source: MTI/Prime Minister's Office)

Rendered image of the Rákosfalva stop (Source: MTI/Prime Minister's Office)

Kristóf Szatmáry, the Member of Parliament for the region, said that the government's decision brought the realisation of the most important transportation development in eastern Pest into sight. The government's decision to provide the funds is expected to be published on Tuesday or Wednesday.

“We have a year and a half of wasted time behind us,” said the MP, noting that the project began with the Budapest City Council but ground to a halt in 2019. The new government decision pushes the 10–15 year development plan one step further along.

Cinkota stop, with a vehicle yard, render of a unique level crossing (Source: MTI/Prime Minister's Office)

He also mentioned that the plans for the entire route would be completed by 2023, but construction plans for the first phase up to Cincota could be completed by the beginning of 2022.

The complex suburban transportation development includes connecting the metro and the suburban railway line, the renovation of Örs vezér Square, the complete reconstruction of the affected suburban railway lines, new trains, and rebuilding a certain section underground. Answering questions, Mr Szatmáry said that the railway and metro would be connected on the surface as originally planned.

Gergely Gulyás said that the developments are estimated to cost more than 200 billion.

Source: MTI | Abridged in translation

Cover photo: Visual of the plans for the Cinkota stop of the suburban railway (Source: MTI/Prime Minister's Office)