The decorated V43 locomotive will be visible on almost all of the country's main lines during the Christmas season.Continue reading
On Friday, a special, festively decorated vehicle, the Santa Claus Bus (Mikulásbusz), was put into service. The vehicle will run until December 23 on bus lines 105, 210, 130, 11, 99, and 198. Along with the Santa Claus bus, the Santa Claus Trolleybus (Mikulástroli) has also joined the festive fleet of the BKV (Budapest public transport company).
The Budapest public transport company recalls in a statement that the first Santa Claus Bus rolled out of the BKV garage in 2015. It has now become a tradition that buses with festive interior and exterior decorations can be used in Budapest until Christmas. The Santa Claus bus is also special in its registration number (DPI206), marking the day of Santa Claus’ arrival (December 6 is Saint Nicholas Day in Hungary).
In addition to the cheerful, festive decorations on the exterior, the interior of the vehicle is decorated in a cozy, Christmassy way, contributing to the Advent spirit.
The Santa Claus Bus is available at the normal fare with a valid ticket. The special vehicle will run until December 23 on bus lines 105, 210, 130, 11, 99, and 198. The timetable is available on the BKV website.
On Thursday, the Santa Claus Trolleybus also joined the festive BKV fleet, decorated with lights. The trolleybus is not only for travelling, but also for donating gifts wrapped in shoeboxes, that the BKV staff will then deliver to the Baptist Charity Service. After December 17, it will run as an illuminated Christmas trolleybus until January 5.
The organization will distribute the gifts collected on the Santa Claus trolleybus to needy children in the poorest regions of Hungary.
Photo: MTI/Szigetváry Zsolt
The Santa Claus Trolleybus will run in a self-driving mode every day until the city center. The route of the 76, 77, and 80 trolleybus lines is extended to Blaha Lujza Square, ensuring that as many people as possible can reach the service. Passengers can travel on the Santa Claus Trolleybus at the normal fare. The timetable is available here.
Via MTI, Featured image: MTI/Szigetváry Zsolt