Public Transportation Fares Reduced in Budapest, BKK Announces Compensation for Passengers Due to New Pricing System
Starting from today, the cost of public transportation passes in Budapest has decreased, and the Budapest Transport Center (BKK) will be compensating certain customers affected by the new fare system.
From March 1, the price for a full-fare monthly pass in Budapest has been set at 8,950 HUF, with the pass being valid across the capital’s area on MÁV, Volánbusz, and HÉV trains, as well as on BKK routes within the Pest county with the purchase of a monthly county pass, in addition to the monthly national pass. This reduction in price also applies to half-month, quarterly, and annual Budapest passes, now priced at 5,950 HUF, 26,850 HUF, and 99,950 HUF, respectively. Moreover, travel will be free for those under fourteen years of age.
According to BKK, compensation will be provided to students (annual, quarterly, semester), adults (annual, quarterly), and retirees (annual, quarterly) who had previously purchased their passes before the announcement of the new fare system. However, monthly pass buyers will not be compensated by the company, and eligible passengers will not receive a cash refund but rather a BKK voucher that can be used for BKK services.
Private individuals who purchased a full-fare Budapest pass are entitled to a BKK voucher valued between 1,000 and 3,000 HUF, depending on the time of purchase and validity.
Students who bought a discounted Budapest pass can receive a BKK voucher ranging from 3,000 to 25,000 HUF for annual passes, 12,000 HUF for semester passes, and between 2,000 and 5,000 HUF for quarterly passes, based on the purchase date.
Retirees eligible for discounted Budapest passes can receive a BKK voucher valued between 2,000 and 23,000 HUF for annual passes and between 1,000 and 5,000 HUF for quarterly passes, depending on the time of purchase.
Eligible passengers can calculate the exact value of their voucher using a calculator available on the BKK's website.
BKK vouchers can be collected at BKK Customer Service Centers from March 1, 2024, to March 31, 2024, by presenting a valid pass or transaction identifier.
The voucher will be valid for one year and can be used toward the purchase of any BKK product or for the purchase of Pest county and national passes. More details can be found on the respective website.
Previously, as reported by Világgazdaság, János Lázár, the Minister of Construction and Transportation, highlighted: "I endured some fierce criticism, but in the end, the mayor understood what I was offering. The municipal assembly accepted it unanimously. That means those who buy a county pass can use it on BKK routes, and those who buy a Budapest pass can use it on MÁV-Volán routes. If this isn’t support for Budapest, what is?" He highlighted that this relief would impact hundreds of thousands of people, both students and adults, who will save thousands of forints monthly. A new legal relationship has been established between Budapest and the government with a clear settlement system. Revenue will be fairly distributed based on the volume of services ordered.
The previous 12 billion HUF subsidy will be halved, with the BKK passes and county passes to be reconciled at ratios of 28–72% and 46–54%, respectively. Certain details of the system will continue to be ironed out until March 31, but the backbone of the new system is in place.
According to BKK, compensation will be provided to students (annual, quarterly, semester), adults (annual, quarterly), and retirees (annual, quarterly) who had previously purchased their passes before the announcement of the new fare system. However, monthly pass buyers will not be compensated by the company, and eligible passengers will not receive a cash refund but rather a BKK voucher that can be used for BKK services.
Private individuals who purchased a full-fare Budapest pass are entitled to a BKK voucher valued between 1,000 and 3,000 HUF, depending on the time of purchase and validity.
Students who bought a discounted Budapest pass can receive a BKK voucher ranging from 3,000 to 25,000 HUF for annual passes, 12,000 HUF for semester passes, and between 2,000 and 5,000 HUF for quarterly passes, based on the purchase date.
Retirees eligible for discounted Budapest passes can receive a BKK voucher valued between 2,000 and 23,000 HUF for annual passes and between 1,000 and 5,000 HUF for quarterly passes, depending on the time of purchase.
Eligible passengers can calculate the exact value of their voucher using a calculator available on the BKK's website.
BKK vouchers can be collected at BKK Customer Service Centers from March 1, 2024, to March 31, 2024, by presenting a valid pass or transaction identifier.
The voucher will be valid for one year and can be used toward the purchase of any BKK product or for the purchase of Pest county and national passes. More details can be found on the respective website.
Previously, as reported by Világgazdaság, János Lázár, the Minister of Construction and Transportation, highlighted: "I endured some fierce criticism, but in the end, the mayor understood what I was offering. The municipal assembly accepted it unanimously. That means those who buy a county pass can use it on BKK routes, and those who buy a Budapest pass can use it on MÁV-Volán routes. If this isn’t support for Budapest, what is?" He highlighted that this relief would impact hundreds of thousands of people, both students and adults, who will save thousands of forints monthly. A new legal relationship has been established between Budapest and the government with a clear settlement system. Revenue will be fairly distributed based on the volume of services ordered.
The previous 12 billion HUF subsidy will be halved, with the BKK passes and county passes to be reconciled at ratios of 28–72% and 46–54%, respectively. Certain details of the system will continue to be ironed out until March 31, but the backbone of the new system is in place.
