Budapest's electric buses arrive ahead of schedule

Change is arriving on the streets of Budapest with new electric buses in service on regular routes, running months ahead of schedule. For commuters, the shift brings a quieter ride. For the city, it marks a first step toward a cleaner system. 

Every weekday morning, Helga and Zoltán take the same line, riding from their neighborhood to the city center. The routine has felt different in recent weeks.

"I think it looks beautiful. We have these old buses all the time, so it's a nice feeling to get on a new one. It's also accessible. It has all these railings that help you get on the bus. You can get onto the higher seats more easily," Zoltán said.

Budapest began testing the buses, built by Chinese automakers BYD, in November. The city ran inspections and system checks and also tested the charging network. 

Officials say each bus can travel up to 700 kilometers on one charge. The depot now has new high-speed chargers and has upgraded bus bays. But for riders, the change feels simple.

According to Zoltán: "They feel much smoother…The suspension is much better. You are holding your phone and trying to read a text, and can see the letters."

"I can't read a text on the older buses," Helga chipped in.

City transport officials say comfort is only part of the story. They say the larger shift is in how the fleet can be used across the network. Five of these new electric buses are already crossing Budapest, reaching parts of the city that had limited public transportation service.

Wide rollout

The city plans a wide rollout.

"The goal is to have 58 regular electric buses and 24 articulated electric buses operating from this site. So this year we hope to have 82 of them running on the roads and streets of Budapest," said Ádám Bodor, deputy CEO for mobility development at Budapest BKK.

Some of the buses will come from BYD's production hub in Komárom, a facility which is undergoing expansion. The company says the move will support Europe's electric transport plans.

For passengers, the shift is easy to notice.

"It's good for the environment, it's good for the people, and it is not loud," Helga said.

Budapest officials say the early start helps test the system in real use. They say it also builds support for the wider rollout. There are millions of bus journeys across the city each day, so even small changes can be felt at scale.

Drivers have reported fewer vibrations in the cabin, while passengers note less noise at stops. 

More buses will arrive in the coming months. If the plan stays on track, the streets will see dozens more by the year's end. For now, five are already in motion. They are quiet. They are new. And they point to a shift in how Budapest moves.