Design of the new Pest tramway starts

Planning can begin for the second phase of the Pest tramway project, connecting the tramway network of North Pest and South Buda. The tram tracks between Deák Ferenc Square and Lehel Square will allow for a non-stop fixed-rail link between North Pest and South Buda, according to a statement by Budapest Transport.

They explain: Phase II of the Pest tram project has reached another significant milestone after BKK signed the design contract with the winner of the conditional public procurement procedure, FŐMTERV Zrt., which won the conditional public procurement procedure.

This is where the trams will run

The design works aim to return trams to Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út and the southern part of Váci út, providing an attractive public transport option for passengers through the city centre. The project would create a tramway axis that would completely cross the capital, allowing passengers to travel comfortably and quickly through Budapest without having to change trains.

The project is eligible for EU funding under the ICOP Plus programme, and BKK submitted its application for funding in March 2024. As a decision has not yet been taken and the grant contract has not yet been signed by the Hungarian State with BKK, the planning is pre-financed by the Municipality of Budapest. The final design is expected to be completed by the second half of 2028.

New tramway and barrier-free stops

The tasks of FŐMTERV include the preparation of the permit and construction plans, the execution of the permit procedures, the obtaining of consents, the preparation of the tender documents for the selection of the contractor, the feasibility study and the environmental impact assessment.

The design includes these elements:

• The design of a new tram line of almost 2.2 kilometres between Lehel Square and Deák Ferenc Square, and accessible stops.
• Special attention will be paid to the surroundings of the future tram line, and accessibility improvements will be planned at several stops on existing sections.
• The inner section of Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út and Váci út will get a new look, and the renewal of Nyugati tér is also part of the project.