A host of renovations underway in Budapest, but congestion is caused by something else
Major road and tram line renovations in the capital usually take place in the summer, when there is less congestion due to the reduction in traffic during the school summer holidays. However, this time it's different.
Ádám Bodor, deputy director general of the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK), confirmed that car traffic levels are similar to those recorded during the school holidays.
Although there is usually a 10% drop in traffic at the start of the school holidays, this time there was none.
Congestion is also affecting public transport, with delays of 5–25 minutes recorded on several lines.
According to the latest data from BKK, there was no significant reduction during the first week of July.
Following the recommendation of Dávid Vitézy, leader of the Podmaniczky Movement, among others, the capital has introduced several minor changes to reduce congestion.
- The work on the Rákóczi Bridge has been rescheduled.
- Public transport will be given increased priority on Gellért Embankment and the Margaret Bridge.
- Front-door boarding will be suspended on several bus routes (9, 26, 91, 191 and 291).
- The section between the Margaret Bridge and the Chain Bridge (Antall József Embankment) will remain open in Pest on working days.
Of the major renovations, the work on trams 4 and 6 is expected to be completed by the end of July. The Mozaik Street flyover is also expected to be finished by then, but the Flórián Square flyover will not be fully open until next spring.
Cover photo: Machinery and workers renovating the tracks of trams 4 and 6 at Jászai Mari Square on 22 June 2025. MTI/Róbert Hegedüs
