Renovation of the main railway line in Győr continues at Bicske

In autumn 2023, the 29-kilometre section of the Budapest–Győr–Hegyeshalom railway line between Biatorbágy and Szárliget underwent renovated The work was carried out by MÁV.

During the three-month project, almost 100,000 concrete sleepers were replaced under 120 kilometres of rails and more than 100,000 tonnes of crushed stone in the ballast underneath, on 29 kilometres of track, twice the length of the original 29 kilometres. During the three-week period of the renovation, which involved a total lockout, all the work - such as water diversion or subgrade repair - was carried out, which required traffic to be suspended on both tracks.

There are several ways to tackle the groundwater problem

According to the railway company's information of 22 March 2025, during the renovation, the experts discovered a ground water defect in the substructure between Bicske lower station and Bicske station. Based on geotechnical investigations, the construction work involved rebuilding about 200 metres of the groundwater drainage seepage and cleaning out the trenches along the track.

They added that since the groundwater level has not fallen to the desired level as a result of the interventions carried out, an additional seepage pond was built to reduce the water level. The project also included the installation of monitoring wells to measure groundwater levels.

Recent geotechnical and geophysical studies have shown that the groundwater level is still high, so special drainage systems, i.e. deep drains, will have to be installed on both sides of the track for about 500 metres, and the trench systems will have to be renewed for 300-400 metres, they said.

Timetable changes during the restoration

According to the statement, the repair of the detected track defect will prevent further damage to the track and will also remove the 40 km/h speed limit on about 400 metres, making train services even more punctual and reliable.

Regarding the traffic information, MÁV pointed out that the train service on one track will be maintained continuously between Herceghalom and Bicske, so there is no need to set up replacement buses according to the planned timetable.

During the works, from 24 March to 9 May 2025, there will be changes to the S10, G10 and S12 trains and the Sopron Scarbantia, Szombathely Savaria, Dráva and Mura, and the Győr Arrabona InterCityk, as well as the Sunday Rába InterRégiók timetable on the Budapest–Győr–Hegyeshalom line.

The travelling public is reminded that those travelling on the Győr main line should not travel out of habit, but should inform themselves in advance. The current timetables are available on the MÁV app, the EMMA and the jegy.mav.hu journey planner interfaces.

Due to changes in the railway timetable, the timetables of Volán bus services will also change. Information about these changes is available on the railway company's website.