Renovation of the railway line between Budapest and Belgrade began in 2022, but the launch date has since been postponed several times. Now a new deadline is taking shape: based on a Facebook post by Dávid Vitézy, Index reported that domestic passenger service could begin as early as the second half of October.
The project affects both Budapest and Keleti Station. One of the platforms had to be made accessible because it was previously impossible to board trains at ground level.
## Testing finished, paperwork still in progress
After the full-load test, the inspection of the ETCS train control system was completed successfully. This system supervises train movements, and its proper functioning is one of the conditions for starting passenger service.
The required documents are expected by mid-October. Passenger traffic can begin only once all the required safety conditions have been met.
“We will only let passengers onto the line when every necessary safety condition has been met – we won't compromise on that,” Index quoted Dávid Vitézy as saying.
## Work on the track continues
The contractor still has a work phase of nearly two months ahead of it. The station tracks, turnouts, and open-line tracks must be precisely realigned, as the crushed-stone ballast has compacted further during construction and test loading.
The final adjustments are intended to ensure that the track remains suitable for speeds of 160 kilometers per hour on a long-term basis. They hope to complete this work on the suburban section by the end of October, so that fewer restrictions will be needed once passenger trains resume service.
According to current plans, the full 160 km/h speed can be used from December. International passenger service may also start in December.
Source: Index
