MÁV Delays: Austrian Railway Cuts Off Hungarian Trains
- 2 Oct 2023 1:14 PM
- Hungary Around the Clock
Austrian state railway company ÖBB announced on Friday that, after several warnings, it would cut off Hungarian trains from the Western European network on the Budapest-Vienna main line from Monday until October 26.
ÖBB cited regular delays of 20-30 minutes in trains arriving from Budapest as the reason.
As the delays are due to track renovation work begun by Hungary with little or no notification, the Austrians are sending a message that it is not possible to carry out renovations on an international railway line without prior notification, HVG writes, adding that the track renovation begun overnight by MÁV violates practically all of the relevant EU rules.
“The EU directive that regulates the EU railway market and defines the relationship between European railway companies states that track maintenance lasting more than seven days and affecting more than 30% of the traffic must be announced two years in advance and the expected restriction must be discussed with the users of the affected track” transport analyst Márton Spohn told Népszava.
ÖBB will force trains coming from Hungary and travelling towards Salzburg and Munich to stop in Vienna, where passengers will be forced to change trains, the railway company announced on Friday.
MÁV also said it will employ more train replacement buses between Budapest and Győr during the renewal works.
The Hungarian railway company will also provide help and guidance in Vienna for passengers changing trains.
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