BKV will complete its tram track renovations and maintenance works scheduled for the summer on time, for the start of school on 1 September. A total of almost 2,500 track metres and 300 m2 of road surface have been renewed, which will further modernize the Budapest tram network; thus make tram transport faster, quieter and more comfortable in many places on both the Buda and Pest sides.
 
Faster and quieter lines 4 and 6
 
Despite extremely high temperatures and thunderstorms often accompanied by heavy rainfall, specialists completed the renovation of the Szent István körút section of the track on the capital city's oldest, simultaneously Europe's busiest tram line, lines 4-6, on time, in six weeks. During the reconstruction, the rails were placed in the heavy-duty, prefabricated reinforced concrete elements using an automatic mixing device, unique in Hungary, using the so-called rail-surrounding technology. This elastic material reduces the vibration and noise caused by the trams. Thanks to the development, the previous temporary 20 km/h speed limit was also lifted on the section between Jászai Mari tér and Tátra utca, so the almost 70-ton Combino trams can run faster and quieter, and the introduced 60-second lamp cycle results in a more regular traffic rhythm and up to a minute shorter travel time.
 
Renewed lines 56, 59, 61
 
In the 12th district, several track sections have also been modernized: the Kútvölgyi út crossing of routes 56 and 61, and the Liptó utca and Lejtő utca curves of routes 59 have been renewed.
 
A total of 162 new reinforced concrete bases were put in place at the latter location, and new rails ensure the reliability of the track. These parts of the line were noisier than average due to the hilly terrain and the curves, and wore out faster due to the more intense use. As a result of the maintenance work, the Tatra trams operating here will now be able to run more quietly and provide a more comfortable feeling for passengers, and the track section has become more resistant in the long term.
 
Due to the heavy traffic load and the depreciation due to the rains, the repair of the Kútvölgyi út crossing could not be postponed any longer. During the modernization works, prefabricated reinforced concrete elements and completely new rails were installed on almost 180 metres of track, and the specialists also applied the rail-surrounding, noise and vibration-damping technology at these locations.
 
More modern lines 1, 12, 14
 
In the last two weeks of August, BKV specialists carried out maintenance work at additional locations on the Pest tram tracks: on line 1, which is the second longest in the capital city with its 18.2 kilometres and is used by almost all tram types, the worn rails were replaced on the section between Lurdy Ház (Mester utca) and Közvágóhíd, by laying approximately 1,344 metres of new rails. The crushed stone bed was replaced in some places, the track geometry was improved, and the turnouts at Közvágóhíd and Népliget were also renovated.
 
Two worn-out turnouts on line 14 near the Angyalföld depot were replaced with new ones, while several minor maintenance works modernized the tramway at the Angyalföld terminus of line 12 and a section of line 14.
 
The renovation of the tram network continues
 
The total length of the Budapest tram network is 335 track kilometres, currently consisting of 36 daytime, 1 night, 1 temporary, 3 heritage, i.e. altogether 41 lines; you can get on and off at a total of 344 stops. BKV is committed to the continuous modernization of the tram network and has development plans that include not only partial but also comprehensive reconstructions of entire lines. Due to the continuous decrease in available investment resources, the renovations are being carried out on a scheduled basis, along the interventions deemed most necessary by experts. As a result of the works completed by the end of the summer deadline, more durable and reliable track sections have been created on all affected lines, which will ensure more comfortable, faster and more stable tram transport for passengers by the start of the school year.

Bkv Zrt.