BUDAPEST public transport authority BKK has been successful in its application for Forints 10bn ($US 27.35m) of funding from the Hungarian government, which will enable preparations to begin for extending metro line M1.
The 3km extension of M1 north from Mexikói út will closely follow an existing motorway to terminate at a new railway station north of Rákosrendező, where the orbital line from Rákos/Ferencváros crosses over the Budapest – Szob main line.
According to the mayor of Budapest, building the extension will cost Forints 77bn. An additional Forints 29bn will be required to replace the ageing M1 fleet supplied in 1973.
The Forints 10bn provided by the government will also fund design work for extending light rail Line 3 to Pesterzsébet, Line 42 to Gloriett-telep, and building a connection between lines 47 and 49 at Deák tér and lines 12 and 14 at Lehel tér, running parallel to metro line M3.
Following the completion of design work, tendering for the Deák tér – Lehel tér line could start in 2027 for opening in 2030.
The government’s decision to allow projects to proceed where the confirmation of European Union (EU) funding appears imminent will also enable planning to begin for projects on the HÉV commuter network.
These include rebuilding lines H8 and H9 and connecting them with metro line M2 at Örs vezér tere. A new fleet would be procured to operate on the combined lines.
BKK is also planning to build a new connection between Line H5 in the north of the city and lines H6 and H7 in the south, running via the mainline Nyugati terminus in the city centre.
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