Around 3,500 billion forints (approximately EUR 9.6 billion) will be made available over the next ten years for the “Gábor Baross” development plan aimed at modernizing Hungary’s railway system.
The Baross Plan is based on six interconnected key objectives. Among other goals, it aims to ensure that all county capitals are optimally connected by modern InterCity trains. In the longer term, average speeds of at least 100 km/h are to be achieved on the main railway lines.
Further priorities include the development of a reliable regional rail network, including the modernization of secondary lines and coordinated timetables with Volán bus services. The plan also foresees attractive rail services for the suburban areas of Budapest and other major cities, including commuter rail (S-Bahn) and tram-train systems.
A major focus will be the modernization of rail freight transport in order to reduce the burden on motorways caused by long-distance truck traffic.
Improved international connectivity is also planned, including a railway link to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport and cross-border rail connections.
The immediate measures include the comprehensive modernization of the country’s ten largest railway stations, as well as the procurement of 35 InterCity trains with capacities of 400–500 passengers each and 42 suburban rail carriages.