LAUNCH OF PASSENGER SERVICES ON BELGRADE-BUDAPEST RAILWAY LINE POSTPONED

BELGRADE, NOVEMBER 14 /SRNA/ - The launch of passenger services on the high-speed Belgrade-Budapest railway line has been postponed due to minor software issues that have been identified.

Hungarian Minister of Transport and Investment Dávid Vitézy said that the Chinese contractor was working to resolve the identified problems with the train control system, and that passenger trains would be able to operate only after testing had been completed and the necessary permits issued.

He explained that this is the first railway line in Hungary on which a Chinese manufacturer has installed safety systems compliant with European standards, making it necessary to subject their operation to particularly thorough checks before passenger services can begin.

Vitézy said that, in addition to Hungarian Railways, the independent quality assurance organisation TÜV was also involved in the testing process, at the initiative of former minister János Lázár.

The Hungarian minister also confirmed that passenger services on the Budapest-Belgrade railway line would not be introduced with the new railway timetable, which comes into effect on December 13, Belgrade-based media reported.

"For the time being, contrary to earlier announcements by the Serbian and Austrian railways, which were based on information from Hungarian Railways following the successful completion of previous tests, passenger trains will not be introduced on the Budapest-Belgrade line under the new timetable," Vitézy said.