Seven railway stations around Lake Balaton are to be refurbished

In many places, the buildings at our railway stations around Lake Balaton have not undergone any substantial renovation for decades. They are typically in poor technical condition and operate in an extremely energy-inefficient manner; moreover, they are often not accessible to people with disabilities or lack modern passenger information systems, even though the increased passenger numbers during the peak tourist season would require this.

Recognising this, a public procurement tender was launched for the northern and southern banks for the refurbishment of certain station buildings. Following the track renovations and electrification works carried out in recent years, it is now necessary to bring the station concourses up to the same standard as the railway infrastructure:

Some of the locations featured in the public procurement tenders are major regional transport hubs or holiday destinations (such as Balatonlelle, Balatonboglár and Balatonkenese), whilst in the case of smaller stations (such as Polgárdi, Füle or Csittényhegy), the most effective way to achieve immediate improvements in passenger safety and comfort is through the rapid replacement of life-threatening or unsustainably dilapidated buildings and the construction of high platforms.

Railway stations in the southern Lake Balaton region

Balatonlelle station building is to be completely demolished and replaced with a 507 m² contemporary building fitted with solar panels, air conditioning and state-of-the-art passenger information systems. In addition, the surrounding area will be upgraded: new paving stones will be laid over an area of more than 800 m², and green spaces and footpaths will be renewed across 1,580 m². The project, costing approximately 881 million forints, will be carried out by INVESTMENT Kft. over a period of 16 months. During construction, the contractor must ensure that train services and ticket sales remain available.

Balatonboglár’s 358 m² station building, which is a locally listed building, is to be thoroughly refurbished and modernised both inside and out: new walls, modern windows and doors, solar panels and air conditioning will be installed, whilst the utility services and passenger information systems will also be upgraded. An accessible car park will be designated in the station forecourt, new paving will be laid, and green spaces and pavements covering nearly 1,400 m² will be landscaped. The works will be carried out by Horváth Építőmester Zrt. at a cost of approximately 963 million forints, with a 16-month completion deadline, whilst passenger services continue to operate.

Bélatelep The 231 m² listed station building will be preserved, but the interior will be refurbished: the ceiling will be insulated, the windows and doors replaced, and the rooms fitted with air conditioning. Outside, the passenger information facilities will be upgraded, a „K+R” area and an accessible car park will be created, and, in addition to the paving and natural stone surfacing, new plants will be planted across an area of approximately 675 m², complete with an irrigation system. The work is being carried out by INVESTMENT Kft. at a cost of approximately 390 million forints, over a period of 16 months, whilst maintaining railway operations.

Railway stations in the Northern Balaton region

Polgárdi railway station is being replaced by a completely new, state-of-the-art and cost-effective 212 m² station building, fitted with solar panels and a modern passenger information system. In the vicinity of the building, the roads will be resurfaced, a 21-space car park will be created and cycle racks installed, whilst the landscaped and pedestrian areas, covering more than 5,200 m², will be refurbished. The project will be carried out by Railway Network Kft. at a cost of approximately 776 million forints, over a period of 16 months.

Füle station will also be demolished and replaced with a smaller, 66 m² new station building that is easy to maintain and fitted with solar panels. A new, 250-metre-long raised platform (high-level platform) will be built to provide more convenient access to the trains, whilst the forecourt will feature a 12-space car park, bicycle storage facilities and approximately 3,000 m² of revitalised green space for passengers. The contractor is Railway Network Kft.; the budget is approximately 659 million forints, and the works are expected to take 19 months to complete.

Csittényhegy’s existing 225 m² station building will be retained but refurbished inside and out, whilst the railway platform will be replaced with a 250-metre elevated platform to ensure barrier-free access. Eleven parking spaces, modern passenger information displays and cycle racks will be provided in the vicinity of the station, and nearly 3,900 m² of green space will be landscaped. The contract for the project was awarded to Railway Network Kft. with a bid of approximately 749 million forints, with a completion deadline of 19 months.

Balatonkenese The 171 m² station building will be retained; the winning bidder, Railway Network Kft., may modernise and refurbish it at a cost of approximately 962 million forints over a period of 16 months. A large-scale solar panel system will be installed on the roof of the building; to ensure a well-maintained station environment, the paving will be refurbished, a 17-space car park with bicycle storage will be created, passenger information systems will be modernised, and the surrounding green spaces and pedestrian areas covering more than 3,100 m² will be refurbished.