Minister Announces Long-awaited Public Transport Improvements

On Wednesday, János Lázár, Minister of Construction and Transport, held a press conference, at which he announced ten commitments to improve public transport, Index reports. Among the announced changes are the refunding of half the bus and train fare after a 20-minute delay, the renovation of all public toilets at the stations, and reducing the shortage of InterCity wagons.

János Lázár first unveiled that a new system will be introduced from June 1, the institution of delay insurance. Half the fare will be refunded to anyone whose train or bus is delayed by 20 minutes or more. This is an objective responsibility, the passenger does not have to prove anything or go through a bureaucratic procedure, he stressed.

If there is a delay of at least 20 minutes, half of the ticket price will be refunded without any dispute.

If a monthly passholder faces a delay of 20 minutes at least 5 times in a given month, they will get a 10 percent discount on the next pass.

By January 1, 2026, all toilets of the MÁV-Volán Group (since 2021, the Volán bus company is owned by MÁV Group, the Hungarian State Railways) will be renovated. Passengers will be able to use the toilets free of charge, either with an app or with a valid ticket or pass. In addition, cleaning staff will be on duty on all InterCity trains from April 1. This means cleaning during the journey, including toilets.

Under the third commitment, Hungary will buy 1,000 new buses in one year, until April 30, 2026, of which 500 will be delivered this year.

The reinforcement of the locomotive fleet will also be a big step, as 200 electric locomotives are in service a day, of which only 50 are modern.

55 locomotives will be added to the fleet this year, the rest in 2026. This will mean that 40 new electric locomotives and 15 new heavy-duty diesel locomotives will be in service for the summer season this year. The ministry has managed to find modern locomotives in mint condition on the European market, said János Lázár. These locomotives will be leased, and contracts have been signed and deliveries are underway.

The minister has undertaken to reduce the shortage of InterCity (IC) wagons.

There are a hundred wagons that are now in poor condition, and they have been ordered to be refurbished as a matter of urgency,

he announced. The refurbished wagons will be in service for the peak summer season. The order for 285 wagons will start in 2025.

Lázár recalled that a significant stake was acquired in the partly Austrian owned GYSEV last year. Their plans include transferring sections of track to GYSEV, taking over operations in Győr-Moson-Sopron, Veszprém, Vas, and Zala counties.

As the summer season is the biggest challenge, a new service is being set up: the MÁV bus. This means that hundreds of buses will be made available to MÁV, and reinforcement bus services will be organized alongside the rail services. In exchange for a service fee paid at the railway station, bus services will be provided on the route of the train to the railway station. For instance, if a train is full, there will be buses available.

Lázár announced an “air conditioning guarantee” for the 2025 summer season. When buying tickets, it will be clearly indicated and guaranteed whether the vehicle is equipped with air conditioning.

If passengers cannot find such a train on the route, they will be guaranteed an air-conditioned bus service.

The new MÁV+ app will be launched in April and will be ready by the second half of the year with additional services. The most important new feature will be the previously mentioned delay insurance.

Lázár said that they can take these steps because they have started the restructuring of the Group, four companies are operating, and they have saved HUF 25 billion (EUR 60.4 million) on procurement through centralization and open competition. This amount covers the improvements that it was able to finance without budget support.

Via Index, MTI; Featured image: Facebook / MÁV – START Zrt.