Budapest Combino trams mark 20 years in service

Budapest Combino trams are marking 20 years of service. As reported by RailwayPro, BKV operates the fleet. It entered passenger service on July 1, 2006, on lines 4 and 6. The first Siemens Combino trams arrived in Budapest on March 14, 2006. Today, they still serve some of Europe’s busiest tram routes.

Budapest Combino trams after 20 years of service

Over those two decades, the Combino fleet has carried more than two billion passengers. It has also recorded nearly 7 million hours of service.

According to BKV, the trams have covered a combined distance equal to 125 times the journey between Earth and the Moon. For example, the operator also says they could have completed about 1,500 round trips to the International Space Station. That comparison applies if they had travelled in a straight line.

Siemens Combino trams changed travel in Budapest

When the Siemens Combino trams entered service, they changed public transport in Budapest. At 54 metres long, they were the longest trams in the city. Also, their design let passengers move freely along the entire length of the vehicle.

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They were also the first low-floor trams in Budapest. In addition, they improved accessibility for people with reduced mobility. They also helped parents with strollers and passengers with luggage.

Their introduction required infrastructure upgrades. Meanwhile, several platforms were rebuilt. At the same time, work was carried out on the power supply system. Separately, the Hungária depot was modernised to accommodate the new vehicles.

BKV marks the anniversary with depot events

The fleet was gradually expanded to 40 vehicles. The last tram was delivered in May 2007. Still, the trams now run daily on Budapest tram lines 4 and 6. They carry more than 300,000 passengers per day.

Since 2011, Line 6 has operated non-stop. Also, Combino trams continue to run at night.

To mark the anniversary, BKV has applied a special livery to the first tram in the series. It will run on the city’s ring road throughout the year. Separately, the company will host an open house at the Hungária depot on June 13. There, visitors can take guided tours. They can also learn more about the history of Combino trams in Budapest.

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