As a responsible operator, BKV only puts its buses and trolleybuses in good technical condition into service. The vehicles undergo regular technical inspections – daily, weekly, quarterly, annually – and any repairs found to be necessary are immediately taken care of by the company's technicians. The continuous inspection of the vehicles and their full compliance with passenger and vehicle safety aspects is independent of recent events and the control of the Budapest Metropolitan Government Office.

Due to recent incidents involving BKV buses, the Budapest Metropolitan Government Office inspected the condition of 40 vehicles in four bus divisions of BKV on 18 and 19 August, in addition to a full fleet inspection of the company already underway. The inspection revealed mainly minor and immediately repairable errors, including faint turn signals, damaged rear-view mirrors and other minor malfunctions. Work to correct the defects identified started that night, some buses have since been repaired and some vehicles are scheduled for future technical inspections. However, 9 buses, most of them older, typically 20 to 24 years old, were found to have such defects which mean that they cannot be put into service until they have been repaired at the earliest.

BKV's experts work every day to ensure that the ageing bus fleet provides passengers with a reliable, safe and – in line with the requirements of the times – high quality, comfortable service. The company puts maximum effort into the operation of ageing vehicles, checks the fleet entering service every day and ensures that the existing fleet is safe and fit for long-term use. BKV does not compromise on safety and does not put any vehicle in service that would endanger the safety of passengers. However, according to the transport company's professional experience, the optimum maximum age of buses is 10 years. Therefore, the most economical way to ensure the reliability of public transport in the long term is to purchase new vehicles.

The company has prepared specific purchases to replace older vehicles. However, no funds are available at the moment. BKV has therefore developed alternative solutions, one of which is to lease 65 new buses. These will arrive from the end of this year. Measures to renew the bus fleet also include replacing vehicles with expiring lease contracts, applying new lease schemes and exercising existing purchase options.

21 August 2025.

BKV Zrt.