Tramscape Tramway
Photographs
Budapest,
Hungary
|
|
1986
Despite
substantial tram route closures as a result of the expansion of
the metro, Budapest retains an enormous network and has been re-equipped
with new Tatra sets. More closures are likely but a number of "high-speed"
routes are envisaged to complement the metro. This view on Robert
Karoly korut is of one of these lines, which is due to be extended
around the Pest side on Hungaria korut - a new route for trams
in Budapest
122 photos
|
|
|
2006
The UV type trams (left) which have dominated
the Budapest for scene for so long celebrate their 50th year in
service - and are still going strong despite the arrival of Ganz
articulated cars, four-axle Tatra cars and in more recent years
second hand cars from Hannover. In 2006, Budapest took delivery
of the first of a new series of Combino trams from Siemens. At 54
metres, these are the longest individual articulated trams in the
world. 2002 is seen on trial at Stadionok stop on the "high-speed"
line on Hungaria korut.
494 photos
|
Download the
Budapest Tramway Photograph Catalogue
Budapest was the first city in continental Europe to have a true "underground"
railway, the "Foldalatti", opened in 1896, which ran in a shallow
tunnel under Andrassy ut from Deak ter to Hosok tere. Although it was later
extended to Vorosmarty ter in the heart of the city and to Mexicoi ut on the
outer edge of the city park, trams were the backbone of public transport in
Hungary's capital. By 1986 it looked as if this extensive network would gradually
disappear as the city's authorities were committed to the expansion of the Metro
which was being developed in the Soviet style with assistance from the USSR.
Where metro lines were opened, trams on the streets above closed.
In
1986, the new "fast tram" line on Robert Karoly korut, due to be extended
along Hungaria korut on a wide arc around the east of the central city was the
only sign of development. It was clear that trams had a furure only on routes
outside the city centre where traffic justified heavy investment. Although extensions
to the metro have resulted in some closures, particularly in the Angyalfold
and Ujpest areas in the north, the network in 2006 (and in particular the route
organisation) remained little changed. Despite grand plans for more tunnels,
city finances could not support it, especially after the collapse of the Communist
regime which had invested heavily in prestige metro projects. Trams are back
in favour, although it has to be said that whilst the tram operators are enthusiastic,
the city authorities remain less so.
In recent times services have been
removed from Thokoly utca from Baross ter to Bosnyak ter, with the short extension
along Csomori utca and the branch along Mexicoi ut to Erzsebet Kiralyne utca
(the latter paralleling the modern line along Hungaria korut).There have be
some short extensions to the network, but the emphasis is now on modernisation
and upgrading of what was essentially a street tramway. The route structure
is unusual - a network of short routes, often terminating at metro stations
with no lines crossing the city centre from one suburb to another. The heavily
used routes 4 and 6, which in early 2006 were being reconstructed for the operation
of new 54m long low floor Combino trams, serve inner city areas only, distributing
passengers around the "Grand Boulevard" ring on the Pest side.
Return to
Series List