Budapest to Modernize Bus Fleet with Nearly 300 New Vehicles

A major upgrade is coming to public transportation in the capital: nearly 300 modern diesel and electric buses will arrive in Budapest in the upcoming years, as part of a procurement process by the Center for Budapest Transport (BKK). The first new, air-conditioned, low-floor buses equipped with on-board cameras and a modern passenger information system will enter service this summer, improving travel comfort and safety.

BKK’s goal is to increase the proportion of zero-emission vehicles in the bus sector as well. As part of this, fully electric buses, including articulated BYD buses, will enter service in spring 2026. They will primarily serve busy inner-city routes such as the 105 and 210, as well as Rákóczi Avenue and the Buda hills. According to plans, a further 70 new electric buses – 50 solo and 20 articulated – could arrive by 2027, which will contribute significantly to achieving climate targets and improving air quality.

Photo: BKK

Ádám Bodor, Deputy CEO for Mobility at BKK, emphasized that two-thirds of all trips in the capital’s public transport system are already made by electric vehicles, and the electrification of the bus sector will be another milestone on the road to sustainability.

In the coming period, not only electric but also modern diesel vehicles will be put into service: from the summer of 2025, more than 200 new Mercedes buses will arrive, including articulated, solo and medium-capacity vehicles in the MaxiMidi category. These buses will first operate on routes connecting the city center with Újpalota and the Buda districts, such as lines 8E and 133E, and then on other routes in Pest and Buda. With the new buses, by 2027, nearly 90 percent of the capital’s bus fleet will be modern, with EURO 5 or more advanced drive systems, reducing local air pollutant emissions by approximately 8,000 tons per year.

The renewal of the vehicle fleet will continue in the longer term: modern, low-floor, air-conditioned CAF trams and new trolleybuses will arrive in Budapest with EU co-financing. BKK is already working on a public process that could result in the addition of up to 160 new trolleybuses and more than 100 new trams to the fleet.

Photo: BKK

Dr. Katalin Walter, CEO of BKK, emphasized that despite limited financial resources, more than 430 vehicles, including 350 buses, have been renewed in Budapest over the past 4.5 years, which has fundamentally improved the competitiveness of public transport.

The planned developments aim not only to increase passenger comfort and safety, but also to meet sustainability and climate protection commitments and further improve air quality in Budapest.

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