Hungary plans to increase funding for railway projects

Hungary plans to increase funding for railway track and station renewals to HUF 80 billion (€218m) in 2027, from HUF 30 billion this year, while launching a wider investment programme intended to modernise the national network over the next decade. Transport and Investment Minister Dávid Vitézy announced the proposed increase last week, as the government presented its draft 2027 budget. The increased funds are intended for routine track maintenance and renewal, smaller station reconstruction projects and the removal of temporary speed restrictions, rather than major projects supported by EU funding. Vitézy said the existing budget had been insufficient even to maintain infrastructure in its current condition.

The government has not yet published a complete list of projects to be financed from the increased allocation, but a priority will be the comprehensive renewal of the Cegléd main line between Városligeti elágazás and Kőbánya-Kispest, in Budapest. Works are expected to begin in March 2027 and will require a temporary track closure.

Separately, the government intends to begin implementing its Baross Gábor Railway Development Plan, which envisages HUF 3,550bn (€9.73bn) of investment in Hungary’s railway infrastructure and rolling stock over ten years. The government says HUF 331bn of EU development funding will be available for railway and transport projects in 2027, HUF 271bn more than in 2026. The domestic budget is intended to provide the national co-financing required to launch major EU-supported investments.

This story was originally published by RailFreight.com. Read the full story at RailFreight.com →