Amsterdam bans creation of new hotels
Another piece in the overall strategy to reduce tourist flows to the city
Rides will be free of charge until mid-April 2022
The long-awaited Hódmezővásárhely-Szeged tram-train, the first such vehicle service in Hungary, will start regular operation at dawn on 29 November. Passengers will be able to travel between the two cities for free until mid-April 2022, János Lázár, Government Commissioner for the National Development Agency, has announced.
"We have successfully passed the tram-train passenger test and accident simulation. We are getting closer to getting the scheduled traffic going," Lázár wrote on his Facebook page.
At a press conference last week the government commissioner said that the launch of the tram-train connecting the two Hungarian cities could only be compared to the handover of the Békéscsaba-Szeged railway line 150 years ago.
The first tram-train will depart on 29 November from Hódmezővásárhely at 3:31 and back from Szeged at 4:38. During the start-up period, until 31 December, trains will run every hour. In the next stage, trains will follow each other every 20 minutes during peak hours, and every 30 minutes thereafter. The tram-train will also run between the two cities during the night on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Based on the technical and passenger experience gathered during this period, the final timetable will be established, which will take effect on 15 March, said the Fidesz politician who is also a member of parliament from the region.
János Lázár emphasized that the investment of HUF 80 billion (over EUR 222 million) will pay off if the tram-train proves to be competitive compared to other modes of transport, and if passengers can get between the two cities cheaper and faster.
At present, the journey between the centres of the two settlements takes 50-55 minutes by bus or train - with a transfer from Szeged. During the commissioning period, the tram-trains will travel between Kossuth Square in Hódmezővásárhely and Széchenyi Square in Szeged in 40 minutes.
From mid-January, travel times will be reduced by three to four minutes, and the goal is to keep them to no more than 35 minutes from mid-March, Lázár said, as quoted by Szeged.hu.
Passengers will be able to use the tram-trains for free until April 15th. After that, the ticket between the two cities will cost HUF 465 (EUR 1,29), and the trip within Hódmezővásárhely will cost HUF 250 (EUR 0,69).
MÁV, which operates the service, has made an offer to the local government of Szeged to introduce a single pass for the entire line that includes the tram service in both cities. The price of the pass is expected to be between HUF 15,000 (EUR 41,63) and HUF 20,000 (EUR 55) per month.
However, this option will not yet be available for the upcoming European Parliament elections in June
Two years after also being the first European country to decriminalize prostitution
Silesian is spoken by about half a million people in the south of the country
However, this option will not yet be available for the upcoming European Parliament elections in June
The tool helps identify undeclared swimming pools and garden sheds
It will serve as a virtual companion to the municipal network of libraries in the country
The tests are also experimenting with a charging point that is easier to maintain
Reportedly, the aim of the local government is to curb violence and disorder among the youth
The city thinks that it’s time to update pet-related street cleanliness rules for the 21st century
The ritual is more than 1000 years old and was originally performed by the Doges
Two years after also being the first European country to decriminalize prostitution
For English speakers that would be Saint Domnius, the patron saint of the Dalmatian capital
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
Catch up with some recommendations for the 2024 European Capital of Culture programme from the mayor of Tartu
An interview with the ICLEI regional director for Europe аfter the close of COP28
An interview with a member of the No Hate Speech Network team