Buda's biggest tram development of the year completed for the start of school - modern trams can also run to Hűvösvölgy

The partial renovation of the hűvösvölgy tramway line, which was intended to allow the CAF trams to run on the entire line, was completed on time, by the start of the school year, Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) said in a statement. The remedial works were necessary due to the larger size of the Spanish-built trainsets and their higher power consumption requirements due to their air conditioning and grid regeneration capability.

According to the information in the public procurement notice, the reconstruction of the curved tracks on Hűvösvölgyi Road was carried out by Colas Alterra. As previously reported, the company's experts

• 768 metres of track were rebuilt,
• 7 overhead line support poles replaced
• and 8 pieces of track-laying equipment were installed.

It also worked on the track and modernisation of tram line 56. TTDExpert Zrt. (Budagyöngye – Kelemen László utca stations section) and the DUNAGÉP Zrt. (the company carried out power supply modernisation work along the entire section of the line, starting from Széll Kálmán Square rel="noopener">carried out).

The BKK emphasises:

The refurbishment will allow passengers to travel on the entire length of Line 56 in the capital on modern CAF trams with low floors. From the start of the academic year, at least half of trams 56-56A will be low-floor CAF vehicles for all periods, allowing a more comfortable journey.

After track upgrading, accessibility can follow

As stated in BKK, platform accessibility will be improved in this project at those stops where the CAF vehicle could not physically fit next to the previous platform: at the Kelemen László utca, Heinrich István utca and Zuhatag sor stops, accessibility will therefore be improved in accordance with the technical requirements. On the tram line, at the first two stops in the above list, platform renovations and accessibility improvements at the first two stops in the above list.

In the statement, it is stressed that the capital, BKK and BKV Zrt. are working together to ensure that after the current modernisation of the line - despite the economic difficulties - the accessibility of all stops can begin, which can be made possible by European Union funds.

As a result of the BKV Zrt. investment for the partial renewal of the line, the tramway track was upgraded in several places between Széll Kálmán Square and Hűvösvölgy station, with a total of 3400 track metres, siding, traction gears, switch heating and track renewal. In addition to the tracks, 2200 cubic metres of crushed stone were also replaced.

Due to the power consumption requirements and efficient grid regeneration capacity of the modern and thus more dynamic and air-conditioned CAF locomotives, the power supply system had to be upgraded. 11 720 linear metres of underground cables were laid, 129 overhead line poles were replaced and 2 power conversion substations were upgraded.

Minor follow-up work can still be expected

The total estimated cost of the reconstruction of the tram line between Széll Kálmán tér and Hűvösvölgy terminus is HUF 5.6 billion, including the works to upgrade the power supply to the power houses, which are not directly visible to passengers, and the traffic engineering costs of the construction and bus replacement. The investment is financed by the Municipality of Budapest through the BKV.

The reconstruction work was carried out during the summer school holidays and was completed by the deadline of 1 September. Due to the lane closures, temporary restrictions and service delays caused by the work, BKV and BKK thank passengers and users of the capital's roads for their understanding and patience. After the tram service has started, the contractors will carry out some planned post-construction works at some locations without disrupting tram traffic.