Traffic Chaos in Budapest Due to Pride Parade Protests Impacts School Children
Demonstration against legal amendments disrupts city transport, leaving many children unsupervised as parents get stuck in traffic.
On Tuesday, a significant traffic jam occurred in central Budapest due to a large Pride-supporting demonstration, which severely hampered transportation across the city.
The congestion affected numerous drivers, including many parents who were unable to arrive on time to pick up their children from schools and kindergartens.
The protest, organized by independent MP Ákos Hadházy, called for the repeal of modifications to the law regarding the right to assembly and resulted in the police closing the Elizabeth Bridge, which exacerbated the automotive gridlock.
The traffic delays were not limited to the city center; they also spilled into outer districts.
Areas around the Grand Boulevard and Blaha Lujza Square were particularly hard-hit, increasing tension among drivers caught in the backups.
For parents, the most pressing issue was the delay, which left many children without supervision.
One mother reported spending over an hour and a half stuck in traffic before finally reaching the school, where the teacher had to stay late to ensure the children were supervised.
Another parent described the distress of sitting in her vehicle, stating, "I could have cried." After contacting the school, she realized she was not alone; several parents had failed to arrive for their children, necessitating extended hours for the teacher to keep them safe.
Similar stories emerged from parents who found themselves delayed; many educators adjusted their schedules to stay longer with the students.
In some instances, school staff, such as the gatekeeper, monitored the children who were still awaiting their parents as late as six in the evening.
Other parents reported that they were headed to after-school activities but got caught in the gridlock.
One father recounted arriving at the kindergarten to find the lights turned off, with the caregiver waiting for him alongside his child, who asked, "Did you forget to come for me?" He acknowledged feeling uncomfortable, despite knowing he wasn't at fault, as he worked in Újbuda but his child attended a kindergarten in the seventh district.
Moreover, reports indicated that emergency vehicles, including ambulances, were also hindered by the heavy traffic, raising concerns about public safety amidst the disruption.
The congestion affected numerous drivers, including many parents who were unable to arrive on time to pick up their children from schools and kindergartens.
The protest, organized by independent MP Ákos Hadházy, called for the repeal of modifications to the law regarding the right to assembly and resulted in the police closing the Elizabeth Bridge, which exacerbated the automotive gridlock.
The traffic delays were not limited to the city center; they also spilled into outer districts.
Areas around the Grand Boulevard and Blaha Lujza Square were particularly hard-hit, increasing tension among drivers caught in the backups.
For parents, the most pressing issue was the delay, which left many children without supervision.
One mother reported spending over an hour and a half stuck in traffic before finally reaching the school, where the teacher had to stay late to ensure the children were supervised.
Another parent described the distress of sitting in her vehicle, stating, "I could have cried." After contacting the school, she realized she was not alone; several parents had failed to arrive for their children, necessitating extended hours for the teacher to keep them safe.
Similar stories emerged from parents who found themselves delayed; many educators adjusted their schedules to stay longer with the students.
In some instances, school staff, such as the gatekeeper, monitored the children who were still awaiting their parents as late as six in the evening.
Other parents reported that they were headed to after-school activities but got caught in the gridlock.
One father recounted arriving at the kindergarten to find the lights turned off, with the caregiver waiting for him alongside his child, who asked, "Did you forget to come for me?" He acknowledged feeling uncomfortable, despite knowing he wasn't at fault, as he worked in Újbuda but his child attended a kindergarten in the seventh district.
Moreover, reports indicated that emergency vehicles, including ambulances, were also hindered by the heavy traffic, raising concerns about public safety amidst the disruption.
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