THE Hungarian government has granted the city of Budapest permission to begin talks with potential creditors regarding financing for the modernisation of the ageing train fleet on metro Line 3.

THE Hungarian government published a new strategy at the end of August setting out detailed proposals for the development of the country's transport infrastructure for the period to 2030, while also outlining longer-term provisions for the period to 2050.

SPANISH rolling stock manufacturer CAF is to assemble LRVs for Budapest in Hungary under a contract concluded recently with the Hungarian government.

Budapest celebrated the opening of its fourth metro line on March 28, a piece of infrastructure that finally became reality after 42 years of delays and disappointment. IRJ's Hungarian correspondent Ferenc Joó looks at the project and the prospects for future metro expansion in the city.

FOLLOWING a public tender, Hungary's Györ-Sopron-Ebenfurth Railway (GySEV) has awarded a Forints 11.4bn ($US 51.3m) contract to electrify the 87km Mosonszolnok – Porpác line in western Hungary, which will enable the operation of electric services between Hegyeshalom and Szombathely.

HUNGARIAN prime minister Mr Viktor Orbán and the mayor of Budapest Mr István Tarlós officially opened Line 4 today, Budapest's first automatic metro line.

STADLER Rail handed over the first two of an order for 42 additional Flirt emus for Hungarian State Railways (MÁV) passenger unit MÁV Start on March 19 at a ceremony attended by Hungary's national development minister Mrs Lászlóné Németh.

BUDAPEST Transport Centre (BKK) has placed a €90m contract with CAF, Spain, for a fleet of 37 low-floor LRVs of two types with an option for another 87 units. Delivery will start at the end of 2015.

HUNGARIAN State Railways (MÁV) received the first Lencse track maintenance vehicle from its MÁV FKG business unit on January 16.

BUDAPEST metro Line M4 moved another step closer to the launch of commercial services on January 23, with the launch of the final stage of testing on the initial 7.4km phase of the east-west line from Keleti to Kelenföld.