Renovation of the Debrecen-Balmazújváros line continues

Following the completion of the track renovation between Debrecen and Nagymacs will be followed by the renovation and electrification of the railway track to Balmazújváros from March, according to the announcement by MÁV Zrt. on 14 March 2025.

This year, due to the track reconstruction under the management of Építési és Közlekedési Minisztérium, there will be significant restrictions between Debrecen and Balmazújváros, where train traffic will be interrupted in several phases on different sections.

In addition to track maintenance, the overhead line network is also being built

From mid-March, the track between Nagymacs and Balmazújváros and the track network of Balmazújváros station will be renovated. And from 17 March, the construction of the overhead line system on the Tócóvölgy and Nagymacs section will start, which will be carried out between 7 and 19 hours during the day. From mid-April to mid-May, work will also be carried out on the overhead line network at Tócóvölgy station during the night on weekdays.

The rebuilding of open line sections is expected to continue in several phases until the December timetable change. At the Balmazújváros station, trains to and from Füzesabony will be partially restricted from mid-June.

Work starts on new sections

In connection with the renewal, in order to eliminate speed restrictions, the MÁV will carry out maintenance work between Hortobágy and Ohat-Pusztakócs from 17 March to mid-June using its own resources. During this period, trains will be stopped all day long on the entire section until 30 April, with replacement buses carrying passengers.

The maintenance will involve replacing around 170 longitudinal rails, repairing concrete sleepers and carrying out large-scale track control. From 1 May, another phase of track maintenance will continue on the same line.

The works will significantly reduce the number and severity of speed restrictions, making train services in the area more reliable. The current punctuality of around 75-80 percent is expected to improve to 85 percent from autumn and to over 90 percent next year, meaning that 9 out of 10 trains will run on time from 2026, they added.

According to the information, as a result of the works, a new timetable is expected to come into force from the 2025/2026 timetable period, which will reduce the journey time by more than 15 minutes between Debrecen-Balmazújváros-Tiszafüred.

During the renovations, replacement buses will be provided for travel. The railway company will keep passengers informed about the changes. The modified timetable and a map to help you find your way around available here.