"The infrastructure is fully complete, including tracks, switches, platforms and overhead lines," Hegyi said.

Freight trains started operating on the upgraded line, which is set to become part of a corridor for bringing Chinese goods to Europe, on Friday.

Hegyi said one more task still lays ahead: finalising the train control system for the line. Software testing is underway, he added, noting that finishing that is a condition for starting passenger train service at speeds up to 160km/h.

Trains can currently travel on the line at speeds up to 100km/h, he said.

Vitezy: Testing on Budapest-Belgrade railway line concluded successfully

Testing on the upgraded Budapest-Belgrade railway line concluded successfully, Transport and Investment Minister David Vitezy said in a post on Facebook.

The final and most thorough simulation to date, the test ran trains for hours on end as if passenger service had already begun, following the planned daytime peak-hour schedule, but without passengers, the minister wrote. Experts also simulated various disruptive situations and how to handle them, he added.

Vitezy said the test had gone "generally" well, and that the train control system, considered critical for the handover of the line, had functioned properly. The system guarantees complete safety even at a maximum speed of 160 km/h, he said.

The results will be evaluated in the coming days by experts of state-owned railway company MAV, the domestic transport authorities and the quality assurance company (TUV), and will be published, the minister said.

Passenger service can begin only once it is absolutely certain that nothing threatens the safety of passengers, he added, noting that safety comes first as a matter of principle.

Earlier: 

Ticket Prices Unveiled for New Belgrade - Budapest Railway Journey

Serbia's transport minister has confirmed passenger trains on the new Belgrade-Budapest rail line will launch by late March, offering a direct three-hour trip between the capitals for around €32.

Serbia’s Minister of Construction, Transport and Infrastructure, Aleksandra Sofronijević, announced that passenger services on the Belgrade–Budapest railway will start at the end of March, following freight operations from late February.

Timetables and ticket prices are now available here.

In an RTS interview, Sofronijević said a recent Budapest meeting resolved Serbia's pre-handover tasks. "We've agreed on everything, and Serbia will meet all commitments," she noted. Next steps include linking Serbian and Hungarian systems, training drivers and staff, and finalizing border connections.

She expects the full Budapest-Belgrade route to open in March, with travel time at three hours and 15 minutes for €32 (in dinars).

From the Hungarian side, MÁV CEO Zsolt Hegyi briefed local mayors in Kiskunhalas on Budapest–Kelebia services. MÁV is securing permits, testing safety systems, training staff, finalizing timetables, activating stations and CCTV, syncing with Volánbusz schedules, and installing road crossing barriers.

Key details from the presentation:

* Freight traffic begins February 27 at midnight (max 100 km/h), building experience for passengers.
* Passenger services start March 15, all from Budapest-Keleti station. 
* International, express, and passenger trains every two hours; suburban trains hourly.
* Local trains will stop at all stations.
* Express: Kiskunhalas, Soltvadkert, Kiskőrös, Szabadszállás, Kunszentmiklós (then all stops to Budapest for suburban links).
* International: Only Kiskunhalas and the Hungarian border.

This upgraded line will make cross-border travel faster and more convenient for expats moving between Hungary and Serbia.

Tests completed on Hungarian stretch of upgraded Budapest-Belgrade rail line

Dynamic tests conducted by a special measurement train on the Hungarian stretch of the upgraded Budapest-Belgrade rail line have been successfully completed, the Construction and Transportation Ministry said on Thursday.

The tests were conducted on February 10-18, the ministry said.

The speed of trains on the stretch will reach 160km/h when the upgrade is completed.

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

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.