European Railroad Discussion > Budapest Trams

Budapest has an extensive tram system that is a major portion of the transit network.  There are currently 36 tram lines serving all parts of the city, with very frequent service (trams usually every 3-5 minutes on all lines).  Through the early 2000s, the transit operator (BKK) had a policy of cutting back tram lines as Metro lines were extended.  Recently, this policy has been reversed and tramlines are being extended or reinstated.   Almost all tram trackage is in reserved rights-of-way, so trams can move very efficiently without interference from cars.

Unfortunately, it rained for much of our time in Budapest, as you can see from the photos.  All photos from late April/early May 2019.

1)  Two trains of Tatra T5C5 (Czech-built) cars at Szell Kalman Ter - a major Metro, tram and bus interchange on the Buda side of the river. 
2)  Tatra T5C5 cars at Szell Kalman Ter southwest corner - there are tramlines on every side of this large plaza with a Metro station underneath.
3)  Ganz CSMG-2 (Hungarian-built) cars at the 47 and 49-line terminal at Deak Ferenc ter.  These lines will be re-extended to Nyugati train station.  They had been shortened when Metro Line 3 was extended.
 



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 08/03/19 09:39 by dwatry.

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4)  Ganz set at Kelenfold station.
5)  Tatra near Gellert Hotel & Spa.
6)  Tatra at Deli station.

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7)  Siemens Combino set on line 6.  Lines 4 and 6 share this alignment, and are reportedly the busiest and most-heavily patronized tramlines in Europe.  Frequencies are a train about every 90 seconds-2 minutes.
8)  Ganz set on Line 49 coming across Szabadsag (Liberty) bridge over the Danube.
9)  Lines 47/49 on the west side of the Szabadsag bridge.
 

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Wonderful pictures!

Thank you very much for posting these!

 

Thanks.