BKV
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BKV (Budapesti Közlekedési Zrt.; Mass Transport co. ltd. of Budapest – the abbreviation BKV stands for its earlier name Budapesti Közlekedési Vállalat; Mass Transport Company of Budapest) is the unified public transport company of the city of Budapest, the capital of Hungary.
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[edit] Road vehicle operation
The city-owned BKV runs an extensive network of surface mass transportation, with the emphasis on buses. The dark blue liveried bus fleet includes 1200 diesel vehicles on 200 routes and 15 electric trolley bus lines. The night service is provided exclusively by buses. The articulated bus is a hallmark of Budapest: diesel and ETB bendy vehicles have been running since the late 1950s and still form the majority of BKV's fleet.
In recent years, the bus service has been increasingly plagued by traffic jams as car use has increased and the narrow, congested streets of Budapest rarely allow for separate bus-lanes. Many motorists ignore bus-lane markings anyway, while few traffic lights fast-gate buses. The lamentable road conditions in Budapest incur continually high vehicle maintenance costs and inconvenience for bus passengers. Working conditions (esp. the age of the vehicles) and competitive wages are a serious issue as bus drivers are often lured to the trucking industry. Yet, the city council traditionally favours a bus service, owing to its flexibility and lower initial costs; some 150 brand new articulated buses were procured in 2004-2006.
[edit] Service on tracks
BKV operates 35 city tram lines and 5 municipal railways into the suburban agglomeration. The once-extensive network of tram tracks and the brown striped yellow streetcars were a characteristic of Budapest, but the network was curtailed after the fall of Communism, owing to lack of funding. Line 4-6 is still the largest capacity tram-line in Europe. The streetcar and cogwheel railway services are now set to have a renaissance as there is no further road capacity for bus lanes in Budapest. Financing is being sought from the EU to help replace the more than 40-year-old rolling stock, starting with new 54-meter long Siemens Combino giants intended for the 4-6 line.
The underground railway network is less extensive, including two full-sized metros (red M2, running roughly east-west and blue M3, north-south) utilizing Soviet technology, and the MFAV (or Földalatti), a small-sized underground tramway, which is over 100 years old. A third full-sized metro (M4) should be completed by 2009, as well as a high speed rail link to Ferihegy BUD international airport, which is currently served by bus from the end of the M3 metro line. – See the main article Budapest Metro. Since 2005 it has been possible to buy a "BEB" monthly pass, which permits the use of the MÁV national railway lines within the city area, effectively increasing the tracked service for BKV's passengers.
[edit] Passenger statistics
Approximately 55% of the passenger traffic in Budapest, a city of 1.7 million inhabitants, is still carried by BKV vehicles, with the remaining 45% using private cars. During 2003 a total of 1.4 billion people travelled by BKV. During the Socialist era, Budapest had 2 million residents and the public vs. private transport ratio was 80% : 20% in favor of mass transit.
[edit] Funding
Since the fall of communism BKV has been constantly plagued by a lack of funding and its fleet is becoming obsolete; on average, BKV buses are 15 years old. BKV operates on a net-loss basis; state-mandated ticket prices cover less than 50% of running costs. The state circumvents EU regulations by failing to fully compensate the BKV company for operating costs and amortization, and so funds for new vehicles are scarce. BKV has survived by selling off some of its old garage and repair bases for mall and housing development.
In 2004-2006, 150 low-floor Volvo 7700A articulated buses were acquired via a long term leasing agreement from Volvo Polska, to provide a replacement service during months of extensive reconstruction work on the M2 underground line and the lengthy 4-6 tram line. This batch of 150 Volvos represents the first significant new addition to BKV's fleet in five years. A decision has also been made to buy a single large batch of new underground railway trains from Alstom, at considerable discount, for the M4 line (under construction) and the refurbished M2 line.
[edit] Usage
BKV uses a paper-based system of tickets and passes; a 25-euro pass allows an adult to travel on any BKV vehicle for one month. There are plans to introduce smartcard passes and tickets within a few years, in an attempt to reduce fare evasion (by approximately 10% of passengers).
- See also the usage of the Budapest Metro.
[edit] People with disabilities
Only a growing minority of regular BKV vehicles are accessible to disabled people (e.g. IK-412 diesel and ETB low-floor buses, Solaris ETB buses, Volvo articulated buses and a few stations of the MFAV underground tram line). There are a few small-sized BKV buses, which can be called by phone to transport a person using a wheelchair. The M4 metro line will have public elevators installed in every station. The current M2 and M3 metro stations only have escalators.
Currently available regular service line with handicapped compatible low-floor vehicles:
Diesel bus lines
- full time service: 4, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 16, 26, 32, 40, 59, 59A, 67, 73, 78, 81, 85, 86, 103, 106, 120, 147, 153 (red), 156, 170 (red), 194, 200, Palota, Újhegy
- occasional on weekdays, complete service on weekend: 3, 51, 60, 61, 62 (not on weekdays), 139 (red)
- occasional (every second or third is LF): 42, 54, 61E, 96 (red, only on weekend), 130 (red, only on weekend), 136 (red), 138, 151
Electric trolley bus lines
- 70: full time
- 74, 76, 78, 83: occasional, one LF vehicle per half hour or one hour
Tramway (streetcar)
- 4 and 6: Starting summer 2006, with one LF tram per half hour
(will be fully LF by 2008 as more Siemens Combino vehicles are delivered)
- MFAV: The two termini are equipped with wheelchair lifts, which have proved impractical and unpopular
[edit] Description of major vehicle types used by BKV
[edit] Diesel buses
- Ikarus 260: These are domestically-produced, 10.5 meters (35ft) long, entirely high-floor buses; age of fleet between 15 and 19 years. Considered the "workhorse", it negotiates poor road conditions easily, but passengers suffer a lot of noise and vibration from the under-floor mounted engine.
- Ikarus 263: Hungarian made, 12 meters (40 ft) long, entirely high-floor buses. A longer and more modern version of Ikarus 260. They are owned by VT-Transmann and operated on some South-Eastern small-volume routes in a private venture, but for regular fee.
- Ikarus 280: Articulated (bendy bus) version of the IK-260. Some of the fleet were entirely rebuilt in 2001 and painted in red-blue livery for use on express routes.
- Ikarus 405: Two-door, 7 meters (20 ft) long, partially low-floor minibuses for weight-restricted routes, such as the Castle District and Gellért Hill. The design is generally regarded as a failure, with a cramped passenger compartment. Equipped with fragile independent front suspension, it is prone to roll, but is still expected to run on hilly routes, for lack of a replacement. IK405 vehicles have tilted green striping painted at the front.
- Ikarus 412: Locally-manufactured, 12 meters (40ft) long, entirely low-floor buses; age of fleet between 4 to 7 years. The type is a serious failure, manufactured during the final decline of the Ikarus company; literally no two vehicles are identical in the 412 fleet. Several engine compartment fires forced BKV to rebuild the propulsion cells and the chassis is still prone to fracture. Suffers from narrower rear door and gangway. All the 412 are painted in a light shade of blue.
- Ikarus 415: Locally-manufactured, 12 meters (40ft) long, entirely high-floor buses, age of fleet between 17 and 12 years. Their rear-mounted DAF diesel engines are famous for their terrible roar, scaring passers-by, but the cab is quieter. The reduced size of their rear passenger door is a problem for mass transit. These vehicles have tilted green striping at the front.
- Ikarus 435: Locally-manufactured, 18 meters (60ft) long bendy bus version of Ikarus 415; age of fleet between 12 and 9 years. First with pusher-type articulated drive, they suffered a lot of technical problems and still struggle with chassis weaknesses. They are generally liked by passengers, as their 735mm-high floor is lower than the Ikarus 200 series' 960mm (3ft) very high floor level. These vehicles have tilted green stripes at the front.
- Volvo 7700A: Polish made 18 meters (60ft) long bendy buses, based on Swedish B7LA chassis. Considered a technological marvel by experts for cramming four double doors and a usable gangway into a fully low-floor vehicle with vertically mounted engine. Current fleet of 150 arrived in three batches of fifty in 2004/2005/2006; the latest model is extremely advanced. The general public does not like it that much and consider them slower running than high-floors, because of the many EU-mandated security features. Most of them are air conditoned, which is unique to this type among BKV's fleet.
- Alfabusz-Volvo Localo: Hungarian made 12 meter (40ft) buses with a weird partially low-floor / very high floor combination, based on a Swedish bus chassis. They are not owned by BKV but by Nógrád Volán subcontractor, who run three smaller-volume routes in a private venture, but for regular fee.
- MAN SL 223: Turkish-German made, 12 meters (40 ft) long, entirely high-floor buses with an age of 5 years. They are owned by VT-Transmann and operated on some South-Eastern small-volume routes in a private venture, but for regular fee.
- Mercedes Citaro: German made, 12 meters (40 ft) long, low-floor bus, bought from Vienna. They are owned by Volánbusz and operated on the line 88 in a private venture, but for regular fee.
[edit] Electric trolley buses (overhead wires)
- ZiU-9: These 11 meter (35ft) Soviet-made vehicles have partial semi-low floor at the rear. The fleet is 25 years old and suffers from rust as well as degraded insulation of the electric drive system. These vehicles are not allowed to run in humid weather after a series of incidents in 2005, where crew or passengers received minor electric shocks. The obsolete and highly inefficient ZIU type is set to disappear by mid-2007.
- IK-280T: ETB version of the IK-280 diesel articulated bus; most have been rebuilt with transistorized propulsion.
- IK-435T: ETB version of the IK-435 diesel articulated bus. After cutbacks in ETB route lengths, there is a relative surplus of this fleet, but they don't fit the ZIU-9's assigned routes, so they must stand idle a lot.
- IK-411/412T: ETB version of the above-mentioned IK-412 diesel buses. Limited fleet, resuklting from the collapse of Ikarus and BKV's lack of funds during late-90's.
- Solaris Trollino: Polish-made fully low-floor 12 meter (40ft) buses designed as genuine ETB vehicles. Scored surprisingly well on bad Budapest roads, but the fleet is limited, following the fiscal collapse of Transelektro Group, the local co-manufacturer. BKV is still hoping for delivery of the entire order by end of 2008.
[edit] Trams (streetcars)
- UV: These locally-manufactured vehicles were built between 1954 and 1965, based on pre-WWII designs. Quite popular among tram enthusiasts around the world, BKV recently celebrated its 50 years of service with an elaborate "UV Day" parade. Usually runs in pairs, or pairs with a central trailer car (some of which were built in 1939). The ancient UV vehicles have no heating installed and are set to be phased out in 2008, but they will be difficult to replace because of their narrow body and certain tunnels built to fit them exactly. The idea that UV stands for Új villamos (new tram) is a widespread urban legend.
- ICS: Abbreviation for "Industrially Made Bendy" these 1970-era locally-produced vehicles are 27 meters long, high-floor and double-articulated. They either run single or in pairs, depending on demand. Similarly narrow-bodied as the UV type, they can be used on any BKV tram route. A minority of the fleet has been re-bodied and rebuilt by Ganz using Ansaldo electronics, during the 1990's, but the majority are quite degraded and still have no heating installed.
- Tatra T5C: Czechoslovakian-manufactured 1980s high-floor trams of the 12 meter (40ft) class. They either run in pairs or triples depending on demand. They are comfortable but their wider superstructure limits the lines they can serve. Some were rebuilt with better electronics in the early 2000s.
- TW 6000: West German-manufactured, very high floor trams of 1976 vintage, which BKV purchased in refurbished condition from the city of Hannover. These 25-meter long (80ft) vehicles only run as singles and are noted for their extremely quiet running (which did cause some minor accidents initially). Originally designed to serve as light-rail trains, the TW6000 vehicles have a variable door-well feature, which could serve tram stops in a step-free entry configuration. This feature is much appreciated by pregnant mothers and the elderly, but so far no money has been found to build the elevated tram stop platforms required to support it.
- Siemens Combino: State-of-the-art Austrian-made fully low-floor trams of a special, 54-meter (180ft) long design (intended only for Budapest). Constructed of steel instead of the originally proposed aluminium, they are currently running in an extensive street test to see if light rails can support them. Eventually 40 of them are expected to replace the dual-ICS fleet now serving the extremely busy route 4-6V.
[edit] Heavier rail
- Cogwheel: Late-1960s era red carriages built by ABB of Austria are currently in service, but civil organizations are pushing for their replacement as well as the reconstruction of the entire track, which is unlikely to happen in near future, because of the cost.
- HÉV: East German-built 60-70s era MUX vehicles, painted green, serve all the lines. They are comfortable but noisy and relatively slow, sometimes owing to track conditions. Because of highly flammable interior materials and poor braking effectiveness, the fate of the fleet is in limbo with the rail safety authority.
- MFAV: Domestically-built double-articulated carriages from 1973 run on this line. Loosely based on the above mentioned ICS tram technology, they feature three small carriages per set, in a fully low floor configuration. Unlikely to be replaced in the near future, MFAV vehicles are noted for high maintenance requirements, dictated by the cramped engine nacelles (needed to fit the tiny 100-year-old tunnel).
- Underground Railway: Both M2 and M3 lines are served by 5- or 6-carriage trains of Soviet origin. These Mitisin Factory-built metro vehicles are noisy, consume too much electricity and show a lot of wear after 25+ years of service. A few were refurbished in 1998 but this did not significantly improve passenger comfort.
[edit] Miscellaneous vehicles
- Massive yellow-blue trucks and orange-painted lorries are used by BKV to repair overhead wires. They are equipped with blue rotating lights and sirens and are thus authorized to ignore road traffic regulations when dealing with an emergency.
- Orange minivans and white Renault trucks are used to repair buses on site, these only have orange warning lights.
[edit] A thriller movie
A surrealistic thriller titled Kontroll was filmed in the M2 and M3 metro tunnels during 2002-2003. The movie has won several awards. The ironic beginning of the movie features Botond Aba, CEO of BKV, who declares that all events and locations shown in the film are purely fictional.
[edit] Colour coding
BKV paints its vehicles different colours by type.
- Trams: yellow
- HEV vehicles: green
- Trolleybuses: red
- Buses: blue
The five metro lines are marked on the map in different colours:
- Metro 1: yellow
- Metro 2: red
- Metro 3: blue
- Metro 4 (under construction): green
- Metro 5 (planned): purple
[edit] External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: |
- BKV Rt.
- An awarded image of a new Combino tram
- Pictures about public transport in the large hungarian cities
| Public transport in the cities of Hungary | ||
|---|---|---|
| Budapest | Debrecen | Miskolc | Szeged | Pécs | ||
