Line 5 (Budapest Metro)
| Budapest Metro Line 5 | |
|---|---|
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| Line number: | Line 5 (Budapest Metro) |
| Track gauge: | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) |
| Voltage: | 825 or 1000 V DC |
| Maximum speed: | at least 70 km/h |
The North-south regional rapid railway is a railway construction plan in Budapest, modelled on the Paris RER or German S-Bahn systems. Its aim is to connect 3 suburban train lines of the BHÉV system, from the directions of Szentendre, Ráckeve and Csepel. The plan is also called Metro 5.
History
In the '90s, the growth of the suburbs was not accompanied by public transportation. Population growth was especially strong in Buda and in Csepel island region, but the HÉV lines end at the boundaries of the downtown area, where passengers have to change to go into the city. Hence the idea was born to connect the HÉV lines underground. Lord Mayor Gábor Demszky first spoke of plans in 2002.
In 2005 the city council set aside a first 100 million forint for the project. The council proposed to implement the investment between 2007 and 2010 with European Union funding, but this was rejected. In 2007 deputy mayor Miklós Hagyó stated the council wanted to begin construction of the railway, and in February 2008, the Urban and Suburban Transport Association (VEKE) designed a four track version of the metro line, now proposing to build the railway line from European Union sources between 2014 and 2020.
The track
The proposal is for a rapid rail system which will include the Budapest-Esztergom heavy railway line. The Csepel and Ráckeve HÉV lines will be connected on the surface, near the National Theatre. In Boráros Square, the metro goes underground, and at Kálvin Square it crosses Metro line 3 and line 4. At Astoria the line crosses line 2. The rail heads to Oktogon, and crosses line 1. Finally, at Lehel tér, the line again crosses Metro line 3 before heading to Margaret Island and Buda side.
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