Comprehensive development of the Buda tram line in the hűvösvölgyi section can start

The accessibility improvements to tram line 56 are entering a new phase: the BKK conditional public procurement procedure for the construction of platforms and related infrastructure developments; the call for tenders was published on 21 January 2025, according to a statement sent to our newspaper.

The current project on trams 56 and 56A is planned to include the following stops:

• Dózsa György Square,
• on Miko Street,
• the Déli railway station, and
• St John's Hospital,
• the Academy,
• on the Vadaskerti road,
• the stop at Völgy utca, and
• the Hűvösvölgy terminus.

The environment around the platforms can also be renewed

The project will be carried out with the support of the European Union. The works are scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2025, following a successful public procurement procedure and subject to the availability of funds.

These tasks would be carried out along the whole line

The plan is to demolish the existing stops and build modern, barrier-free platforms with new passenger shelters and information desks.

• The length of the stops will be adjusted and new barriers will be installed where necessary.
• Partly, the connecting road and pavement sections, pedestrian crossings and pavement markings around the stops will be renewed.
• Lowered kerbs will be created, tactile paving elements will be installed at pedestrian crossings.
• The necessary utility replacements will be carried out and the stormwater drainage system around the platforms will be upgraded.
• They will renovate the surroundings of the bus stops and green areas.

Custom solutions are designed for the specific needs of stations

If the tender is successful, the bus stop in the direction of Széll Kálmán Square and the platform in the loop road will be rebuilt at the Sent János Hospital . A new pedestrian crossing will be constructed at the end of Alkotás Street at the Southern Railway Station stop to provide surface access to the tram stop. At the Miko Street stop, the stop facing Elisabeth Bridge will be relocated and shrubs and trees will be planted in its current area.

At Kelemen László Street, a simple track connection will be installed to allow trams to run on a longer section in case of traffic disruption. Worn-out tracks will be replaced in the vicinity of the Dózsa György Square stop and Hűvösvölgy terminus.

A complete transformation of the terminal

As part of the project, the Hűvösvölgy terminal would also be upgraded: storage sidings would be built on the site of the former boarding area, the existing double track connection would be rebuilt, the necessary overhead line, switchover and power supply works would be carried out, and the bus stops next to the terminal would be renovated.

Other options include the upgrading of Christina Square and Budagyöngye stops, which would also be made accessible by BKK if funding is available, but both would require major interventions.

CAFs have been visiting Hűvösvölgy for over a year

Thanks to the correction of tram line 56, low-floor CAF trams will run to Hűvösvölgy from September 2023. The aim of the partial renovation of the tram line in 2023 was to enable the new, modern trams to use the entire line – as we reported in detail at the time, the work was carried out in several parts and constructions by BKV Zrt. contract, Colas Alterra, TTDExpert Kft. and DUNAGÉP Zrt. carried out the BKV Zrt. order between Széll Kálmán Square and Hűvösvölgy station; in the project, the platforms at those stops where the CAF tram could not physically fit next to the previous platform have already been made barrier-free.

Thus, the Kelemen László street, the Zuhatag line and the Heinrich István street stop were also made accessible - with the technical content meeting the requirements. With the current investment, the accessibility work will continue and the platforms of the Hűvösvölgy terminus, with the highest passenger traffic on the line, will also be rebuilt.