Expanding Free Public Transport For Children to Pest County Proposed by Párbeszéd Party

  • 23 Sep 2021 7:08 AM
  • Hungary Matters
Expanding Free Public Transport For Children to Pest County Proposed by Párbeszéd Party
The opposition Párbeszéd party has submitted a proposal to parliament to making public transport free in Pest County for children under 14.

Párbeszéd’s Dávid Dorosz told an online news conference on Wednesday that the measure, which had been “a success” since it was introduced in Budapest on September 1, would “make life easier” for 120,000 children and tens of thousands of families in the county.

The scheme would cost 1.7 billion forints (EUR 4.8m), he said. Widening the scope of eligibility would help the parallel development of Budapest and its suburbs, Dorosz, who is running for a parliamentary seat in Budapest’s 5th district, said.

Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony told the same press conference that voter turnout at the first two days of the opposition primary “has exceeded all expectations”. Some 70,000 people voted on each of the first two days, he said.

The pre-election campaign has been “one of the noblest fights we have seen in recent Hungarian politics”, Karácsony said. The campaign needs candidates who can find common ground both with undecided and opposition voters, Karácsony said.

He vowed to “bring hope and faith to undecided voters especially” if he is elected prime ministerial candidate.


MTI Photo: Noémi Bruzák

Related links

BKV Now Free for Under-14s

  • How does this content make you feel?

XpatLoop Media Partner

Hungary Matters

Launched in January 2014, this newsletter published on week days covers 'everything you need to know about what’s going on in Hungary and beyond', according to its publisher the state media agency MTI.

Explore More Reports

  • Free Testing Begins of Renewed Bubi Bike Sharing System in Budapest

    Free Testing Begins of Renewed Bubi Bike Sharing System in Budapest

    • 3 Jul 2026 4:33 PM

    The Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) and its partners are testing the new Bubi bike share scheme from Friday, Budapest mayor Gergely Karácsony announced. The new scheme is being launched with 3,300 bicycles, including 800 electric bikes, the mayor said.

  • Getting Around: How to Reach the Renewed Citadel in Budapest

    Getting Around: How to Reach the Renewed Citadel in Budapest

    • 30 May 2026 12:01 PM

    The wait is officially over for Budapest’s international community. Following years of extensive restoration, the historic Citadella and its surrounding fortress grounds officially reopened to the public in early April 2026.

  • Parking Puzzle in Budapest: Growing Pressure, Missing Strategy

    Parking Puzzle in Budapest: Growing Pressure, Missing Strategy

    • 25 Mar 2026 12:07 PM

    In recent years, the Budapest Municipality has prioritised the development of long-term plans and strategies in several areas of transport. However, urban road traffic has largely been left out. The road network plan amounts to little more than a single diagram, while a comprehensive parking strategy has yet to be produced, despite repeated requests and official responses acknowledging the issue.