MÁV-Start will receive more than HUF 15 billion from the government to produce 35 InterCity state-of-the-art railcars for international travel at its Szolnok plant. The government has approved a total of 70 cars to be produced in two phases; it aims to gradually replace MÁV’s aging fleet and have a total of 300 IC cars in circulation.
According to Hungarian Insider, three of 20 railcars already completed have received certification to travel abroad, and the first wheelchair accessible vehicle with a separate family section and bicycle transport should be launched in January. Currently, investments and purchases allow for the production of up to 40 IC + vehicles per year. With domestic production in excess of fifty percent, MÁV-Start can employ 250 people, as well as an equal number of suppliers.
The National Railway Company is also pursuing the renovation of its stations, with Budapest’s Keleti Railway Station being made a priority due to heavy traffic there, and especially as its lower station of Kőbánya-Kispest attracts more than 3.1 million passengers from the suburbs each year. This work is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2020. Keleti, along with a few other stations in Budapest, Debrecen and Szolnok, have also received the latest, modern LED information boards. Renovations of all stations are expected to continue into 2023.
Photo credit: mavstart.hu