Budapest’s transport authority BKK has launched a conditional public procurement procedure for the expansion of the capital’s trolleybus network.
The plans cover new overhead line construction in District VIII (Józsefváros) and District X (Kőbánya), with the aim of improving connections between the two districts and the city centre.
The proposed works include the installation of new trolleybus overhead lines along Kőbányai út, between Orczy tér and Liget tér, as well as on Pongrácz út, part of Kőrösi Csoma Sándor út, Állomás utca and Liget tér.
The procurement also covers related modernisation, such as new support poles, upgraded street lighting, multifunctional columns to reduce space requirements, and utility replacements on Kőbányai and Pongrácz roads.
As part of the project, the trolleybus network would be extended from Orczy tér along Kőbányai út to the centre of Kőbánya, with a connection to the Puskás Ferenc Stadion metro station. The extension would also allow access to the Kőbánya garage at Mázsa tér under overhead wires.
The expansion supports BKK’s wider plans to strengthen sustainable public transport in line with municipal policy. The project forms part of the EU’s IKOP Plusz 1.1.0-23 Clean Urban-Suburban Transport Programme, although the release of EU funding is still pending. If financing is secured, construction could begin in the first half of 2027.
This development would enable diesel buses to be replaced with fully electric trolleybus models.
The procurement follows other recent trolleybus initiatives in Budapest, including the launch of route 81 in June 2025, which links Mexikói út metro station and Örs vezér tere. Extensions to routes 72 and 73 are under preparation, while BKK has also outlined plans for depot upgrades and the purchase of up to 160 new low-floor trolleybuses, subject to available funding.
