Budapest-Belgrád rail line set to begin passenger service after successful tests
Hungary's transport minister announced that passenger trains on the Budapest-Belgrád line are expected to start soon, pending final safety approvals.
Transport and Investment Minister Vitézy Dávid reported that the Budapest-Belgrád railway is close to launching passenger operations. Test runs are scheduled for early October, during which trains will travel at speeds of up to 160 km/h following the daytime peak-hour timetable, but without carrying passengers. Earlier trials revealed some minor problems that have mostly been corrected, and officials confirmed that no safety-critical defects have emerged.
The minister met with representatives of the Chinese and Hungarian firms involved in construction, the joint venture investor, MÁV leadership and railway regulators to review progress. Final approval for passenger service will depend on the outcome of the tests and positive safety assessments by both regulators and independent experts. Until then, the line’s passenger facilities remain a work zone, and the public is urged to use designated crossing points with caution.
