Budapest Metro Four Mass Transit Underground System, Hungary

In early 1998, the Municipality of Budapest and the State Government ordered the construction of a mass transit underground system, named Metro four. The project was vigorously examined, and deemed to be the best answer to Budapest's increasing transport problems.

CURRENT TRAFFIC FLOW

Budapest's third largest flow of traffic across the Danube (South Buda) has until now been without reliable mass transit able to promote long-term viable and sustainable development. Furthermore the greater part of surface mass transit is crowded into the Moricz Zsigmond korter-inner Bartok Bela ut-Gellert ter route, that runs along the natural obstruction posed by Gellert Hill.

Even more frequent mass transportation service is inadequate because of the permanent congestion. Development and transportation in South Buda are very important, because this transportation zone is burdened by the residents of the densely populated districts as well as those of the extensive and quickly developing metropolitan area. This is clearly demonstrated by the overloaded bus terminal at Kosztolanyi Dezso ter and the crowded bus stops at Moricz Zsigmond korter.

The condition of Szabadsag Bridge is also a serious problem for the city. The load limit on the bridge, which is a historical monument, makes it unsuitable for tram traffic, and the removal of trams from the bridge is becoming increasingly necessary.

The situation is further aggravated by the fact that the traffic entering the city from the south-west, which constitutes about 27% of the total traffic, is one of the most important routes into Budapest. The dynamic increase in the number of people living in the metropolitan area, the effect of new investments in the region and the continuous expansion of the Buda area are generating an increase in traffic that cannot be managed on the surface.

FEASIBILITY STUDY

Following an earlier tender procedure that proved unsuccessful, the municipality initiated the involvement of international development institutions.

An 11-month research and development project began in November 1995 with non-refundable support from European Community Phare funds. During this period, a feasibility study for the first section of the 4th metro line was prepared with the intention of resolving the long missing mass transit link and determining the main parameters of the recommended solution. Another very important goal of this study was to furnish an economic assessment of the project that would provide a "bankable" basis in conformity with international practice, determine the costs and benefits, and assess the environmental impact.

METRO FOUR PROJECT

The 7.3km underground metro line with ten stations between Kelenfold railway station and Keleti railway station (with the possibility of extension in both directions) will be able to provide South Buda and the downtown area with adequate long-term service in conjunction with the priorities of urban development.

The line's carrying capacity (depending on the composition of the train and the utility of the safety equipment) will be 20,400 passengers/hour in rush hours, and 36,000 passengers/hour in the busier direction. Daily passenger traffic is estimated to be set to rise to about 414,000 in 2005, and 474,000 in 2020. The construction costs for the metro line are about $335 million. The construction started by the end of 1998, and the facility will open to passengers by 2003.

BENEFITS

The large investment required for the project is justified by considerable advantages, one of the most important of which is that travellers will spend 14 million fewer hours each year in transit. The significant time savings in mass transit and road traffic as well as the savings made in terms of environmental protection and fewer road accidents, will, as shown by the cost-benefit analysis, result in an 8.3% internal rate of return for the project.

Among other benefits, the impact of the new jobs to be created by the metro project is exceptionally important. The equivalent of approximately 6,400 one-year jobs will be created during the construction period.