Over 140 Environmentally Friendly Buses Coming to Budapest

A total of 142 new, environmentally friendly Mercedes-Benz Citaro G (628 03) low-floor articulated buses, equipped with state-of-the-art diesel technology have been added to the BKK (Center for Budapest Transport) fleet. The vehicles were presented by Arriva Hungary at a press conference in Budapest on Tuesday.

Anikó Körmendi, CEO of Arriva Hungary, emphasized that they plan to put over 200 new buses into service between 2025 and 2027. The 110+32 vehicles now in service are equipped with state-of-the-art Euro VI diesel engines, have a low-floor design, and are specifically designed for high-traffic urban routes. The model offers excellent passenger comfort, advanced safety systems, including the Sideguard Assist blind spot monitoring system, and an energy recovery braking system, the CEO emphasized.

Körmendi said that a well-functioning public transport system is not only an alternative to private car use, but also the key to a more livable capital city: fewer traffic jams, cleaner air, quieter streets, and more green spaces. “Every bus that replaces 10-15 cars on the road contributes to making Budapest a more livable, healthier, and more sustainable city. And I think this is our common cause,” explained the CEO.

Ádám Bodor, deputy CEO for mobility at BKK, said that due to the large-scale fleet renewal taking place in Budapest, the new diesel buses and the electric buses soon to arrive at ArrivaBus will also contribute to passengers being able to travel comfortably and sustainably, and the capital will also be able to move closer to its climate goals.

These vehicles are exactly what today’s passengers expect in a European metropolis: modern, comfortable, safe, and easily accessible. All this is ensured by the low-floor design, air conditioning, on-board cameras, and a state-of-the-art passenger information system,”

he said.

He recalled that

over the past five years, 360 buses, 55 trolleybuses, and 26 new trams have been added to the Budapest fleet, “replacing old vehicles and creating new connections.”

“This has ushered in a new era in Budapest’s public transport, and we want this to continue,” Bodor emphasized.

The deputy CEO also mentioned that

from July 31, the new vehicles will be in service on routes that pass through the outer areas of the city, such as Budafok and Újpalota, and later, passengers will also be able to travel to Csepel, Soroksár, and Pesterzsébet with them.

Representing the manufacturer, Thomas Tonger, European Sales Manager at Daimler Buses GmbH, also highlighted the safety, environmental friendliness, and economical operation of the Citaro G model.

Via MTI, Featured image: MTI/Hegedüs Róbert