Everything to know about Hungary’s new, improved public transport fee system: prices, passes

Today, a new public transport price and pass system kicked off in Hungary due to a fundamental modification of the relevant regulations originated from János Lázár’s Construction and Transport Ministry. The new system will generate considerable financial losses in the public transport system but will be cheaper for the passengers. Thus, both the leading Fidesz party and its opposition seem to be satisfied with it. Here is everything you need to know about the new prices and passes.

Cheaper for the people, more expensive for the state

Both construction and transport minister János Lázár and Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony are proud of many elements of the new fee and pass system. One of the main advantages is that it will be plainer and cheaper. However, it will also generate losses for huge service providers like MÁV, Volán, or Budapest’s BKK. Neither of the leaders talks about that now, and nobody has shared yet how exactly the government and the leadership of Budapest will fill the financial gaps with taxpayers’ money.

From today, all kinds of passes will cease to exist except for the County and Hungary passes (Vármegye- és Országbérlet). That means you will no longer be able to buy kilometre-based tickets. Furthermore, the simplification includes the reduction of the number of discounts available. Passengers will have two options: either buying a full-price ticket or one with a 90% discount, turizmus.com wrote. For example, the latter will be available for students, making public transport very cheap. In comparison, before 1 March, they could buy one for only a 50% discount.

Hungary, County and Budapest passes

Following the Budapest-government agreement, Hungary and Pest county passes will be valid in the capital’s metro, bus, trolley bus and tram systems. A monthly County pass costs HUF 9,450 (EUR 24), while the price of a Hungary pass is HUF 18,900 (EUR 48).