BUDAPEST – Hungarian Minister of Transport Dávid Vitézy stated today that the examination of the ETCS system on the Hungarian section of the Budapest – Belgrade High-Speed Railway has been completed and that internal passenger traffic on that railway could be launched in the second half of October 2026, while international traffic is expected to be launched in December 2026, N1 Serbia reports.
“After a full-load test over the weekend, the ETCS Train Control and monitoring system, which is crucial for the safe transport of passengers, has now been successfully completed”, Vitézy said.
He clarified that the proper functioning of the ETCS system is a basic prerequisite for the start of passenger traffic.
According to the Hungarian Minister, the official documentation necessary for the establishment of passenger traffic, based on the results of the conducted tests, is expected to be obtained by mid-October.
“If everything goes according to plan, in the second half of October, as a first step, internal passenger traffic could be launched, i.e. intra-Hungarian traffic”, he announced.
In the meantime, the contractor should perform the final regulation of track geometry within the framework of guarantee obligations.
Dávid Vitézy noted that the works will last nearly two months, encompassing the adjustment of station tracks, turnouts, and open-line tracks to ensure the railway can support long-term traffic at speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour.
“It is the usual, pre-planned final phase of work before the new railway line opens to traffic”, he pointed out.
According to the Hungarian Minister, works were scheduled to complete track regulation on the suburban section between Ferencváros and Kunszentmiklós-Tass by the end of October.
