Debrecen Mayor László Papp will initiate talks with the leadership of the Ministry of Transport and Investment (KBM) on developments affecting the city’s public transport system, focusing primarily on the renovation of the No. 1 tram line, the purchase of new trams, and the government’s plans for tram-train services.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday at the premises of local public transport company DKV, Papp László (Fidesz-KDNP) said that significant progress had been made in public transport over the past 12 years, but the planned reconstruction of the No. 1 tram line and the purchase of nine new trams have now stalled.
He added that he had requested talks with the ministry’s leadership in six letters since mid-May but had received no response. He is now once again seeking negotiations, saying that this is the only way to clarify the urgent issues concerning public transport in Debrecen.
Papp said claims that the city had had six years to renovate the No. 1 tram line did not reflect reality, noting that the government resolution on the priority projects under the Integrated Transport Operational Programme Plus (IKOP Plus) was published on March 5, 2024. An indicative allocation of HUF 23.2 billion was earmarked for the reconstruction of the No. 1 tram line and the purchase of nine trams, he added.
He said the city had repeatedly informed the then Ministry of Public Administration and Regional Development, headed by Tibor Navracsics, that the call for applications was unsuitable and had requested amendments, but received no response at the time either. The problem was that, when submitting the application, the municipality would already have had to have a signed construction contract, which would have exposed it to the risk of losing around HUF 1 billion in its own funds if the application were rejected, Papp explained.
Neither the previous nor the current government responded to the city’s proposal to amend the application, while an amendment to IKOP Plus was published on August 8, 2026, naming projects related to the reconstruction of Debrecen’s Main Railway Station, preparations for tram-train transport in the surrounding area, and preparations for the development of the city’s tram network, Papp said. He stressed that “all this happened without any communication between the city and the competent ministry.”
He also objected to the fact that “someone in Budapest decided that the No. 1 tram line should be suitable for tram-train services in the future.” HUF 7.8 billion has been earmarked for consortium partners to prepare the project.
Papp went on to explain at length why the city opposes allowing rail transport into the pedestrianised areas of the city centre, arguing that this would not be in the interests of Debrecen residents. At the same time, he said the city would consider an alternative route. He stressed that talks with the ministry’s leadership were essential not only on this issue but also on transport developments involving the local airport.
Szabolcs Tóth, CEO of DKV Zrt., said the reconstruction of the No. 1 tram line would take two years, while the manufacturer would deliver the new trams over a three-year period. The project’s completion deadline for funding purposes would be December 31, 2030. This means the original development project could be completed within the specified timeframe, the executive said.
(MTI)
