Anyone trying to get about in the metropolitan area with a pram, a wheelchair or a bicycle often comes up against the problem of the old railway stations: the steep steps present many people with an insurmountable challenge. Zugló railway station, built in 1949 when the area was still known as Rákosváros, faces similar problems.

According to previous data from zuglo.hu, at this station – which serves more than one and a half million passengers a year and handles an average of 200–250 passenger trains a day – passengers arriving from Francia út have to clamber up an outdated flight of steps to reach the platforms. As a result, people with reduced mobility, expectant mothers and elderly people with limited mobility are unable to use the trains.

The station building is to be moved to a new location

According to the design tender published on the TED website, the MÁV Pályaműködtetés Zrt. is currently preparing a project in which accessibility improvements will be implemented through a comprehensive refurbishment.

The tender specifications require, amongst other things, the design of the demolition of the existing station building located on the platform and the reinforced concrete platform roof structurally connected to it.

At the same time, consideration must be given to ensuring that the functions currently housed in the building – such as ticket sales, waiting areas, public toilets and retail facilities – are replaced with modern facilities of an appropriate standard in the area adjacent to the railway embankment.

A new access route may be built

In addition to all this, plans are being drawn up for two new underpasses running beneath the tracks and the associated barrier-free access to the platforms (outdoor passenger lift + stairs).

This could be another important part of the project

• a potential new access route along the Semsey Andor Street–Szugló Street axis, to ensure a link between the different parts of the town;
• raising the platform;
• renovation of the existing underpass, design of a new underpass roof;
• installation of a static and dynamic passenger information system;
• the installation or upgrading of the necessary telecommunications, street lighting and security systems;
• the extension of the steel canopy towards the starting point.