“The government has time until midnight on July 5, if there is no decision made, then a smaller volume of buses will be bought using our own funds, in line with the original plan,”
Tarlós commented on the broadcast, insisting on the ultimatum the city council delivered in early June. BKV, the Budapest transport company, would supplement newly purchased buses with older buses, he continued.
“Playtime is over, the renovation of the M3 metro line must start,”
Tarlós added, saying the project is 15 years overdue.
Tarlós believes the renovation can be completed by the end of 2019.
Some 150 buses are expected to be necessary to temporarily replace metro service during the renovations valued at approximately HUF 140 billion and expected to begin in November.
A public discussion on the national bus strategy and issues regarding public transportation in Budapest was held on June 20. István Tarlós and National Economy Minister Mihály Varga were in attendance.
If the city of Budapest moves forward on the purchases, it will buy Polish-made Solaris buses.



