The renovation of a cosy railway station in Nógrád county

We have previously reported on the renovation of the MÁV Berkenye railway station in Nógrád, while the work was still in progress. According to the database of the state-owned giant company, the project was carried out by Boltív-Bau Kft..

"The MÁV group aims to make public transport a realistic and attractive alternative for more and more people. With a new fare system based on county and country passes, we are trying to make travel cheaper and, through a number of measures, better", the transport company said at a press conference. One of the latter is the Hungarian Village Programme MÁV project, which is not only preparing the renovation of major railway stations, but also renewing rural railway stations across the country, according to a statement on 25 April.

The thirteenth station

They add:

Berkenye is located in the district of Rétság in Nógrád county, where the railway station's reception building and its surroundings have been completely reborn. The project has already made waiting conditions and train travel more modern and comfortable in 13 small villages.

They recall that after the grant agreement between the Prime Minister's Office and MÁV was signed in August 2021, the railway company can use HUF 2 billion of non-refundable government funding to develop railway stations under the Hungarian Village Programme,

• Mád,
• Szany-Rábaszentandrás,
• Zichyújfalu,
• Okány,
• Biharnagybajom,
• Csömödér-Páka,
• Needs-Rohod,
• Medgyesegyháza,
• Nagyigmánd-Bábolna,
• Big Wheel,
• Pocsaj-Estar
• and Mernye

Berkenye is the thirteenth site to be used by the travelling public in a modern environment thanks to this programme.

From autumn to spring

Work on the reception building and its surroundings at the railway station in Berkenye started in November 2024. The project included the renovation of the roof structure, the replacement of windows and windowsills, the maintenance of the entire façade and the restoration of the historic architectural elements.

The reception building has a waiting area, toilets and a letting area. The waiting area has new furniture (USB charging table, bench, waste bin) and new static passenger information elements (signs, pictograms). The reconstruction of the surroundings of the reception building included the creation of paved pedestrian walkways with new outdoor furniture.

At the inauguration ceremony of the building, Réka Németh, CEO of MÁV Pályaműködtetési Zrt., delivered a speech on behalf of the railway company, in which she emphasized that

After such renovations, it is always a great joy and success when an old building can be restored to its original form and beautiful surroundings, and thanks to all those who have contributed to the renovation.

The event was also addressed by Lóránd Bói, Deputy State Secretary for Transport Strategy of the Építési és Közlekedési Minisztérium and Mihály Balla, Member of Parliament.

In the Hungarian Village Programme project, MÁV aims to ensure that the improvements are felt by the local residents. To this end, the railway company is working closely with all municipalities to improve the environment of the buildings, to make use of surplus premises and buildings, and to operate passenger facilities. The working environment for railway staff will also be improved at the stations concerned," the communication concludes.