• Home
• Channel: Getting Around
• Third Budapest Bus Fire in Two Days Sparks Political Row

Third Budapest Bus Fire in Two Days Sparks Political Row

• 15 Aug 2025 9:19 AM
• Hungary Around the Clock

A bus caught fire on Alkotás út in downtown Buda yesterday, the third such incident in just two days.

The blaze broke out in the engine compartment at a time when the bus was stopped with no passengers on board.

The driver extinguished the blaze before firefighters arrived, who then cooled the area.

Another BKV bus burned in the same district earlier on Thursday.

A fire that broke out on a bus in downtown Pest on Wednesday was so intense it scorched a nearby building.

Mayor Gergely Karácsony has requested an immediate report from the BKV and ordered safety measures.

Transport expert and city councillor Dávid Vitézy said the root cause is the government’s refusal to allow Budapest to buy new buses.

The two Mercedes Citaro vehicles that caught fire yesterday were bought second-hand in 2012 in Frankfurt after they had been in service for 11 years, and were originally intended to be in service for only four to five more years.

Vitézy argued that material fatigue is now causing dangerous failures.

He recalled that in 2021, the city council approved a Ft 30 billion loan to buy 380 new buses, with tenders completed and deliveries planned for 2023.

The loan, from OTP, K&H and Gránit banks, required government approval, but the application was rejected after nine months, without explanation.

As a result, he said, the BKV has had to lease ageing buses at high cost.
 

*********************************

You're very welcome to comment, discuss and enjoy more stories via our Facebook page: 

Facebook.com/XpatLoopNews + via XpatLoop’s groups: Budapest Expats / Expats Hungary

You can subscribe to our newsletter here: XpatLoop.com/Newsletters

Showcase Your Business to Expats in the Loop:

As an independent portal we’re grateful to all commercial supporters who help keep you in the loop with fresh insights and inspiration. Do you want your business to reach tens of thousands of potential high-value expat customers? If so please contact us here.

Related links

Fire Destroys Buses & Disrupts Downtown Budapest

• How does this content make you feel?
• I love it
• I like it
• I dislike it

• Bus Fire Bus Public Transport

XpatLoop Media Partner

Hungary Around the Clock

Since 1995 Hungary Around the Clock has proven to be one of the most comprehensive sources of daily English-language news about Hungary. It covers ongoing domestic politics and foreign relations, as well as business and economic matters. For a free trial of HATC visit www.hatc.hu and click on 'Free Trial Subscription’.

Explore More Reports

Higher Speed Limits & New Rule Changes in Highway Code Overhaul in Hungary

• 21 Jan 2026 7:32 AM

Hungary is preparing to introduce a completely revised Highway Code, with wide-ranging changes that will affect drivers, cyclists, scooter users and pedestrians alike. The draft legislation has now been opened for public consultation and marks the first full overhaul of the country’s road rules in more than 50 years.



New Budapest Trams Boost Accessible Public Transport in Capital

• 19 Jan 2026 11:05 AM

Budapest has officially welcomed its 26th new CAF tram into service, the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) announced on Thursday. Following successful test runs and regulatory approval, the vehicle is now carrying passengers, primarily on tram line 3.



Surprising City in Hungary Makes Time Out's New Cheapest & Best European Destinations List

• 15 Jan 2026 8:00 AM

The international city and culture magazine Time Out has named Miskolc among its must-visit European destinations for 2026, placing the north-eastern Hungarian city an impressive fourth overall on its list of best-value city breaks.



Updated: Warning Issued Due to Risk of Freezing Rain in Hungary

• 14 Jan 2026 6:37 AM

HungaroMet, the national weather service, has withdrawn its 2nd degree (orange) alerts issued on Tuesday for freezing rain in Budapest and other parts of the country. The weather service, has however, maintained a first-degree alert for some areas in south-eastern Hungary, where further, scattered sleet is expected.