METRO LINE 2 RECONSTRUCTION IN BUDAPEST: LOCAL INNOVATIONS AND VALUABLE LESSONS

Budapest public transport is 2135 km long, with 3 metro lines, 33 tram lines, 199 bus-, 14 trolley-, and 5 suburban railway lines. The modal split is 60% for public transport, 40% for cars. Budapest Transport Limited (BTL) operates the major transport services. It served 1.4 billion passengers in 2003, covering 6 billion passenger kilometers and 21.2 billion place kilometers. This article reviews BTL's planned reconstruction work, expected to complete in a period of four years, 2003-2007. The renovation work will consist of protection of tunnels and underpasses; general modernization of metro stations; complete renovation of rail superstructures; upgrading power supply and signalling systems; overhaul of telecommunication systems; replacement of escalators; improving passenger information and building of lifts for handicapped passengers.