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*Most of the stations are underground, and they can be reached with escalators (usually three or four at a station). Metro 1, however, has only stairs at its stations (except for their joint transfer station) and there are 16 stations on the other two lines that don't have escalators: 3 on Metro 2 (from [[Stadionok]] to [[Örs vezér tere]]) and 13 on Metro 3 (in north from [[Lehel tér]] to [[Újpest-Központ]], in south from [[Nagyvárad tér]] to [[Kőbánya-Kispest]]).
*Most of the stations are underground, and they can be reached with escalators (usually three or four at a station). Metro 1, however, has only stairs at its stations (except for their joint transfer station) and there are 16 stations on the other two lines that don't have escalators: 3 on Metro 2 (from [[Stadionok]] to [[Örs vezér tere]]) and 13 on Metro 3 (in north from [[Lehel tér]] to [[Újpest-Központ]], in south from [[Nagyvárad tér]] to [[Kőbánya-Kispest]]).
*The deepest station is [[Moszkva tér]].
*The deepest station is [[Moszkva tér]].
*The passengers' area is in the middle in most of the stations, but at some stations passengers have to use the stairs to take the opposite direction.
*The platforms form an island at most of the stations, but at some stations passengers have to use the stairs to take the opposite direction.
*In case of an attack or a catastrophe, the Budapest Metro can provide shelter for 220,000 people, including fresh air (with an air-filter), drinking-water (3 l) and washing-water (27 l per person per day).
*In case of an attack or a catastrophe, the Budapest Metro can provide shelter for 220,000 people, including fresh air (with an air-filter), drinking-water (3 l) and washing-water (27 l per person per day).
*There is a secret air-raid shelter (''atomic bunker F4'') connected to the [[Line 2 (Budapest Metro)|Line 2]] and the [[Hungarian Parliament Building|Parliament Building]]. It was built in the 1950s for the Hungarian communist leader [[Mátyás Rákosi]] and the government. In case of air raid or [[nuclear attack]] about 2200 people can be placed here, and with the metro they can escape to southern and eastern railway terminals. It lies 39 m deep under [[Kossuth Lajos tér]] and [[Szabadság tér]]. Nowadays it's disused and closed.
*There is a secret air-raid shelter (''atomic bunker F4'') connected to the [[Line 2 (Budapest Metro)|Line 2]] and the [[Hungarian Parliament Building|Parliament Building]]. It was built in the 1950s for the Hungarian communist leader [[Mátyás Rákosi]] and the government. In case of air raid or [[nuclear attack]] about 2200 people can be placed here, and with the metro they can escape to southern and eastern railway terminals. It lies 39 m deep under [[Kossuth Lajos tér]] and [[Szabadság tér]]. Nowadays it's disused and closed.

Revision as of 05:04, 10 February 2009

Budapest Metro
Overview
OwnerBKV (public ownership)
LocaleBudapest
Transit typeElectrified Metro Railway
Number of lines3 (plus 1 under construction)
Number of stations40 (plus 12 under construction)
Daily ridership1.27 million (approximate)
Operation
Began operation1896
Operator(s)BKV
Technical
System length32.1km
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)

The Budapest Metro (Hungarian: Budapesti metró) is the metro system in the Hungarian capital Budapest. It is the second-oldest underground metro system in the world, and its iconic Line 1 (dating from 1896) was declared a World Heritage Site in 1979.[1]

It consists of three lines, each designated by a number and a colour. Metro Line 4 is currently under construction; the first section is to begin operation in 2010. Plans for Line 5 are also ready.

History

The original purpose of the first metro line was to carry passengers to Budapest City Park, although the capital always opposed any surface transport on Andrássy Avenue, which has since become the most elegant road in Budapest and part of the World Heritage Site. The National Assembly accepted the metro plan in 1870, and the German firm Siemens & Halske AG was commissioned for the construction, which started in 1894. It took 2,000 workers using state-of-the-art machinery less than two years to complete it. This section was built entirely from the surface with the cut-and-cover method. Completed by the deadline, it was inaugurated on May 2, 1896, the year of the millennium (the thousandth anniversary of the arrival of the Magyars), by Emperor Franz Joseph. One of the original cars is preserved at the Seashore Trolley Museum. The train ran along Andrássy Avenue, from Vörösmarty Square (the centre) to City Park, in a northeast-southwest direction, but its terminus was the Zoo (this has since been replaced). It had eleven stations: nine underground and two aboveground. The length of the line was 3.7 kilometres (2.3 mi) at that time; trains ran every two minutes. It was able to carry as many as 35,000 people a day (today 103,000 people travel on it on a workday).

Millennium Underground old phase at Heroes' Square
An old image of the first metro line on Andrássy Avenue
A train in 1896

Plans for the next two metro lines were made as early as 1895, defining the main directions of north-south and east-west. The first plans for today's two lines were made in 1942, and a Council of Ministers' decree kicked off construction in 1950. Metro 2 was originally planned to connect two major railway stations, Keleti (Eastern) and Déli (Southern) pályaudvar. It was originally supposed to have been completed by 1955, but construction was ceased for financial and political reasons from 1954 till 1963. It was finally opened with seven stations on April 4 (a Communist holiday) in 1970. It runs in an east-west direction, and as yet it is the only line to cross the River Danube and reach Buda, the western part of Budapest. It has a joint station with the existing metro at Deák Ferenc Square, which has since become a transfer point for the third line as well.

The first line underwent a thorough refurbishment between 1970 and 1973, including replacement of its rolling stock. When it reopened, the first line, which had previously run on the left, was switched to right-hand running, like the other lines. In 1973, both lines were extended—the first with one station, the second with four—and the first line reached its current length of 4.4 kilometres (2.7 mi), as well as the second at 10.3 kilometres (6.4 mi), serving eleven stations. The Budapest Transport Company (BKV) took over maintenance in 1973, and this company still runs the metro. The colour-marking of the metro lines was introduced in 1976, when the first section of the third line was opened to the public. This was when the first line was given the colour yellow, the second line red, and the third, blue. Additionally, green is used to mark the suburban railways (HÉV) in and around Budapest.

The first decree for the third line was made in 1963, its construction started in 1970, and its first section was opened in 1976, consisting of six stations. Its southern direction was complemented with five more stations in 1980, and the northern in 1981, 1984, and 1990 with nine stations, reaching its current length of 20 stations, 17 kilometres (11 mi), the longest line in Budapest. M3 runs in a north-south direction (more exactly, from north-northeast to southeast).

In the '80s and '90s, M1 underwent major reconstruction. Of its 11 stations, eight are original, and three were added during reconstruction. The stations recall the time of the millennium, including the floor, the benches, the wooden window frames, and the lighting. Every station is a little museum as well, with photos and information. There is a Millennium Underground Museum in the Deák Ferenc Square concourse where many other artifacts from that time can be seen.

Metro 4 (as of 2007, under construction) has a long history, reaching back to 1972. In the past decades, difficulties arose from the medicinal springs around its planned route (e.g., Gellért Baths). There was a long debate over whether its construction would be safe, what part should be paid by the government and the capital, whether it could be paid for from the Russian state debt towards Hungary, whether its route was appropriate, and whether it was needed, rather than, for example, helping the conurbation's growth and access with a connector line (see M5 below), and how long it should be made in the first phase of construction. If it is finished by 2010 (which is the best case), its history will cover 37 years, the longest time of all the metro lines in Budapest.

Lines

Main articles: Line 1 (Budapest Metro), Line 2 (Budapest Metro), Line 3 (Budapest Metro), and Line 4 (Budapest Metro)

Recent and planned developments

Déli pályaudvar on metro Line 2

Metro 2 reconstruction

Metro 2 has undergone major reconstruction, with much of the track and eight stations being ready. Blaha Lujza tér and Kossuth Lajos tér were renovated in 2004; Batthyány tér, Astoria, and Keleti pályaudvar in 2005; and Déli pályaudvar, Moszkva tér, and Deák Ferenc tér in 2006. These are currently the most modern stations in Budapest. The line became completely renovated by the end of 2007. Elevators will be installed in the first phase at stations Kossuth Lajos tér, Blaha Lujza tér, Keleti pályaudvar, and Astoria. Besides, new carriages will be bought which provide air-conditioning. The renovations took place during the summer holidays (up to August 19—the day before the day of Saint Stephen).

Recently, the Urban and Suburban Transit Association (Városi és Elővárosi Közlekedési Egyesület) presented a plan to unite line 2 with the HÉV from Gödöllő. The city government did not totally agree with the plan, but it still may go ahead after 2015.

Metro 4

Metro 4 will connect southwest Budapest (Buda) to northeastern Budapest (Pest). The first section between Kelenföldi Railway Station and Eastern Railway Station, with a length of 7.5 kilometres (4.7 mi), is due to be completed in late 2011, comprising 10 stations. The second section (with four stations) between Eastern Railway Station and Bosnyák Square, with a length of 3 kilometres (1.9 mi), is to be completed in 2013. Between 2002 and 2004, preparations for the metro at Bartók Béla Street and Fehérvári Street were made, along with the overall renovation of squares. On Móricz Zsigmond körtér and Bocskai út pedestrian underpasses were created, which will later become concourses for Metro 4 passengers as well.

In 2005 construction work began on Baross tér (the square in front of the Eastern Railway Station). A new station exit was constructed, connecting the existing station of the metro line 2 to the surface in the area of the parking lot. The new station exit is needed to meet the significant increase in traffic demand expected in the future. In addition to the current passenger numbers transported by metro line 2, another 600,000 passengers are expected to use the new metro line 4 daily in the future. Secondly, the new exit is built to enable closing of the currently operating exit during the construction work at the metro 4 station. A new underpass was constructed for the new exit, and new stairs were built toward Festetics utca. Work was completed by December 2005.

  • March 27, 2006 - The founding stone for this metro line was laid. [1]
  • May 15, 2006 - The building of Szent Gellért tér station began.
  • July 17, 2006 - The building of Bocskai út station began.
  • March 21, 2007 -The building of Népszínház utca station began.
  • April 3, 2007 - The building of the tunnels began.
  • April 5, 2007 - The building of Kálvin tér station began.

A schedule of the construction work is currently available in the Internet Archive.[2]

A study has been published about the project by the Urban and Suburban Transit Association. This can be found here: The 4th metro line of Budapest - Wasteful plans from the past

Metro 5

Metro 5 is in the early planning stages. It will most likely run along the Danube (crossing it at Margaret Island), connecting suburban railways going north and south. There is currently no planned start date for operation.

See also List of M5 metro stations

Extension of Metro 3

There are plans for the extension of Metro 3 towards the north (Káposztásmegyer) and the southeast (Ferihegy Airport), perhaps also within the current decade. The line's extension to Ferihegy airport has been made unlikely by the introduction of a train connection between the airport and Eastern Railway Station.

Usage

General information

Currently, the only meeting point of the lines is Deák tér, however, forthcoming lines are to have other transfer stations: M4 will cross the M2 and M3 lines at different stations.

Kőbánya-Kispest terminal on the Line 3

Tickets have to be validated at the entrance with the orange-coloured machines before taking the escalator, and must be retained until leaving the metro. At validation, the current date and time is printed on tickets along with station information. Tickets are checked manually by the pass controllers, who usually turn up at stations near the escalators, but they may inspect tickets anywhere within the metro area; tickets or passes must be handed over to them on request. Controllers wear a blue ribbon with golden inscription around their wrists, but they may hide it before the actual inspection. (An automated entrance system for the metro has been planned for a long time, as well as on all other public transport in Budapest, but as of 2007, the transport company has not published details.)

Platforms at which to board trains are designated by the terminus of that line; there are signs for these at the station entrances, usually at the escalators, and on the walls of the tunnels in both directions.

None of the stations of either lines 2 or 3 has yet been made accessible for people with motion disabilities or parents with pram, including recently renovated stations. Line 4 will have stations accessible from the street level by elevators, but people in wheelchairs won't be able to use the underpasses when crossing a street. On line 1 (Millennium Underground) there are only three stations suitable for wheelchair users.

Pöttyös utca station on the metro Line 3

Travel rules are almost the same for all transport vehicles of BKV, and are available at the website of the transport company. These deal with the age and health state of travellers, size of luggage (some chemicals are prohibited), transportation conditions for dogs (ticket/pass, muzzle and lead are required), prohibition of smoking, eating and playing music, the accident insurance provided with the ticket, and the conditions for its use.

Types of tickets and passes

There is a single ticket (as of 2008, 270 HUF), valid for a single ride (no transfers) on any metro line or other public transport in Budapest. There are further tickets available specifically for the metro: a section ticket for up to three stops, a transfer ticket for a trip with one transfer, and a section transfer ticket for up to five stops including one transfer.

Inside M2.

Except for the section ticket (which is valid for 30 minutes) and single tickets on Metro 1 (also valid for 30 minutes), all tickets are valid for 60 minutes, within Budapest. Passes are also available for one day, 3 days, one week, two weeks, 30 days or a year, and discount packs containing ten tickets.[3] A Budapest Card [2] is often recommended for tourists, enabling free public transport in Budapest, but it is only worthwhile if one intends to visit lots of sights and take part in many programmes within the given two or three days.

Working hours and frequency

The Budapest Metro trains start running at 4:30 in the morning, and the last train leaves at 11:10 p.m. from the terminus. The rush hours are between 6 and 8 a.m. and between 2 and 5 p.m. on workdays, when trains run every two or three minutes. Early morning and night trains run every 10 or 15 minutes. On Christmas Eve (December 24) trains usually run only until about 3:00 in the afternoon, and may also stop running early on other holidays, as advertised beforehand. Service time may be extended on New Year's Eve.

Trivia

Builder's plate on Soviet built metro train in Budapest
Emergency exit of Atomic bunker F4
  • Due to developments in the early 2000s, mobile phones can be used throughout the existing metro lines.
  • On Metro 2 and 3 there are still the same Soviet vehicles running (like in Moscow and some subway services of Prague, as well as the only line in Sofia and Warsaw). The trains are driven by two people, except for Metro 3, which has a "program carpet" controlling the trains' speed and stopping. This means that controlling the train mostly consists of opening and closing the door. This latter system will be launched soon on Metro 2 as well. On the other hand, Metro 4 will be entirely automatic, functioning without human drivers.
  • Most of the stations are underground, and they can be reached with escalators (usually three or four at a station). Metro 1, however, has only stairs at its stations (except for their joint transfer station) and there are 16 stations on the other two lines that don't have escalators: 3 on Metro 2 (from Stadionok to Örs vezér tere) and 13 on Metro 3 (in north from Lehel tér to Újpest-Központ, in south from Nagyvárad tér to Kőbánya-Kispest).
  • The deepest station is Moszkva tér.
  • The platforms form an island at most of the stations, but at some stations passengers have to use the stairs to take the opposite direction.
  • In case of an attack or a catastrophe, the Budapest Metro can provide shelter for 220,000 people, including fresh air (with an air-filter), drinking-water (3 l) and washing-water (27 l per person per day).
  • There is a secret air-raid shelter (atomic bunker F4) connected to the Line 2 and the Parliament Building. It was built in the 1950s for the Hungarian communist leader Mátyás Rákosi and the government. In case of air raid or nuclear attack about 2200 people can be placed here, and with the metro they can escape to southern and eastern railway terminals. It lies 39 m deep under Kossuth Lajos tér and Szabadság tér. Nowadays it's disused and closed.
  • A film titled Kontroll was made in Budapest Metro in 2003. It was screened in Cannes and in the U.S.
  • The movie Underworld (2003) also has scenes shot in the Budapest Metro.
  • The original New York City Subway entrances were modeled after the Budapest Metro entrances.
  • During a night in May 2008, the British DJ Pete Tong played on the platform of the central station "Deák Ferenc Square". Elevators and fixed vehicles were also used during that party.

Statistics

The full length of the three metro lines is 31.7 km, comprising 40 stations (among them one for changing). For the forthcoming Metro 4, 12 new stations will be built and two further stations adapted for transfer.

Budapest Metro serves about 1,270,000 people on a weekday (as of 2004, [3]). In 2003, there were 315 million travellers on the metro, which means 860,000 people for an average day ([4]).

See also

References

  1. ^ Fodor's Europe, 1979, p. 524
  2. ^ Template:Hu icon Schedule of construction works (original URL) .xls; The file displays fine in OpenOffice.org Calc, but fails to open properly in Microsoft Excel 2003 SP3
  3. ^ Fares BKV

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Budapest Metro.

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