The stations at Arany János Street, Ferenciek Square, Kálvin Square, the Corvin Quarter and Klinikák will be refurbished to include the special accessibility facilities.

The renovation of Budapest’s iconic Chain Bridge will begin in September, to be completed by the middle of 2021.

The renovation includes demolishing and rebuilding the pavement, reinforcing the steel structures and protecting them against corrosion and reconditioning the pedestrian rails. Also, stone surfaces will be cleaned and decorative lighting restored, among other measures.

The underpass at the Pest side of the bridge will also be reconstructed. The total cost is projected at 16 billion forints (EUR 52m). The tunnel under the Castle District is noted as the second phase of the project pending available resources.

The opposition Socialist Party welcomed the metro accessibility plan and said that Wednesday’s vote had put an end to a “long and unworthy debate”. Addressing a press conference ahead of the vote, Socialist Party councillor Csaba Horváth added, however, that the city council leadership “only took the matter seriously” when the opposition initiated a referendum on it.

Meanwhile, the assembly voted to increase the base fare for taxis from 450 to 700 forints effective July 1. It also voted to raise the per-kilometre fee from 280 to 300 forints and the waiting fee from 70 to 75 forints per minute.

MTI Photo: Máthé Zoltán