BKV
The BKV Zrt. (in short: BKV, advertised: Budapesti Közlekedési Zártkörűen Működő Részvénytársaság ) is the transport company of the Hungarian capital Budapest.
Rolling stock
The city of Budapest belonging BKV operates a fleet of different means of transport. This includes 1200 diesel buses on 252 lines ( including 39 night bus lines ), 15 catenary bus lines, 33 tram lines and the suburban railway Budapesti Helyiérdekű Vasút ( bHEV ). The hallmark of Budapest are the articulated buses that are traveling since the 1950s and still form the backbone of the Budapest transport.
The network of the Budapest Metro is less developed, but is well complemented by the trams. There is a 1896 1000th anniversary of the founding of the Hungarian state, inaugurated metro line (M1 ) and two built with Soviet assistance lines (M2 and M3). A fourth line (M4 ) is under construction. Overall, the rail network of the metro currently has a length of 32 kilometers and has 43 stations.
The average age of the buses is 15 years. Due to the advanced age of most vehicles suitable for disabled persons is the exception. There are some call buses, which are intended for the transport of wheelchair users. The new Metro line M4 to be executed handicapped accessible with elevators at each station.
Between March 2006 and May 2007, Siemens Transportation Systems delivered 40 low-floor trams of the type Siemens Combino. At 54 meters, this train is the longest tram in the world. It operates on the line 4-6, which has the world's highest number of passengers in trams. From the Hanover Stadtbahn the BKV has acquired light rail cars of type TW 6000.
Gentle drove a 1887 built by Siemens electric tram from Westbahnhof to Király utca first time.
Statistics
The share of public transport in total traffic of Budapest is currently about 55%. This value is decreasing: During the socialist period this figure was 80%.
Finances
Since the fall of the Iron Curtain, the BKV suffers from lack of money. The revenue from ticket sales do not even cover 50 % of costs. In the years 2004 and 2005, 100 low-floor buses by the manufacturer Volvo leased to perform a rail replacement bus service for the metro line M2 can, which is now 40 years old and in need of modernization. These buses are the only major new acquisition in the last five years. In addition, it was decided new metro trains for the modernized line M2 and the line is under construction to create M4. According to the daily " Magyar Nemzet " were the beginning of 2010 the debt of the BKV approximately 333 million euros.
In early 2012 came the BKV in huge financial problems. In January, all spare parts were used up in the camps. According to media reports, the theft of 20 feet to power lines in order to cease operation around the affected line must suffice, since one is not able to replace the stolen cable, and connect the power.
Tickets
The BKV currently only sells single tickets and season tickets of paper. Medium term, the conversion is planned to electronic tickets, to reduce the proportion of Black rides, which is currently estimated to be approximately 10% of all trips.
A single ticket ( Vonaljegy ) is valid from the date of cancellation 60 minutes. When changing planes an additional ticket must be validated, except when transferring between the Metro lines when doing the inner station area is not left (up to the commissioning of the line M4 to the Metro lines intersect only in the Deák Ferenc tér ). For short journeys on the metro up to 3 stations and more than 30 minutes there is a short-range card ( Metrószakaszjegy ).
A transfer ticket ( Átszállójegy ) entitles you to one transfer with extended validity period. This ticket must be validated both at start and during transfers. The two ends of the ticket are marked accordingly. As with the single ticket direct transfers between metro lines is free.
Attractive for visitors to the city are network cards with 24 and 72 hours validity. For groups up to 5 persons traveling together, there is a 24 -hour group map (Budapest csoportos 24 Oras jegy ).
All rates of BKV (English): http://www.bkk.hu/en/prices/
Persons aged 65 and over are allowed to use all public transport means ( the second class ) for free in Hungary.
Scandal 2009
Late 2009 and early 2010 were arrested for investigation for fraud, illegal wage continuation payments, excessive and unauthorized settlements, fake consulting contracts and mafia-like business agreements the former deputy CEO of BKV and several former senior managers.
In the media
In the metro tunnels of the M2 and the M3 control the film was shot between 2002 and 2003. He won several awards. During the ironic opening credits of the film, the former head of the BKV personally explained that all actions and people are completely fictional in the film.