During that time the metro will function between Kőbanya-Kispest and Lehel Square, with replacement buses operating along the northern secion, Tarlós told a press conference.

All necessary traffic changes, including the routes of the replacement buses have been worked out, the mayor said.

On another subject, Tarlós said Budapest transport company BKV upholds its demand for the manufacturer of trains for the third metro line to pay a fine of 2.5 billion forints (EUR 8.2m) or higher for delivering reconditioned trains in an unacceptable condition.

The mayor said a part of the fine could be spent on installing air conditioning on the metro trains or making more stations along the line wheelchair accessible.

He said there are currently 13 renovated metro trains in Hungary, 11 of which have been approved for service use.

On the subject of plans to build a mobile flood levee on the Római embankment in northern Budapest, Tarlós said the levee’s designer maintains its responsibility for the project’s technical suitability.

Commenting on the mayor’s press briefing, Socialist councillor Csaba Horváth said that Tarlós did not represent the interests of Budapest’s citizens either on issues around the metro upgrade or on the Római levee.

The reconstruction of metro line 3 could be financed “from the taxes Budapest citizens pay in a span of ten days”, Horváth insisted. In the last seven years, Tarlós has been unable to obtain even this much support from the government, he said.

Horváth added that if Tarlós wanted to construct the Romai levee citing majority support, a local referendum would be the best means to secure it.

LMP lawmaker Antal Csárdi said that a study by green NGO Vedegylet has shown that a levee built immediately on the Romai embankment would enhance safety risks in the area. On the issue of metro line 3, Csárdi said that

Tarlós’s assertions today contradicted the municipal council leadership’s earlier claims, citing city leaders as having said earlier that turning the whole line wheelchair accessible and installing air conditioning in revamped metro cars was impossible for technical reasons.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.

MTI photo: Kovács Tamás