At the latest “Közlekedésinfó” briefing, Minister of Construction and Transport János Lázár highlighted several major transport developments affecting Debrecen, including rail upgrades and the future of the Main Railway Station.
As Debrecen4U reported, the minister reviewed the results of 2025 and the ministry’s goals for 2026, noting that a new fare‑integration system was introduced at the end of last year. Since 24 December, DKV accepts both the Hajdú‑Bihar County Pass and the National Pass on all local services, while Hungarian Railway, MÁV Zrt., recognises DKV passes on interurban routes within the city. This change brings the biggest savings for students over 14 and pensioners under 65, who can now travel for HUF 945 instead of the former HUF 5,500 monthly fee.
The MÁV–Volán Group reports strong uptake: more than 15,000 county passes have already been sold in Hajdú‑Bihar, and DKV has issued nearly 6,000 passes through its digital and in‑person channels.
Lázár pointed to record passenger numbers in 2025, with more than 1.1 billion journeys made nationwide. He mentioned the new Passenger Transport Act, which aims to improve access to district centres, and confirmed that the updated Highway Code (KRESZ) will be published on 20 January, following expert review.
Turning to industry trends, the minister emphasised that Hungary’s automotive production is increasingly centred in Eastern Hungary, including Debrecen. With around one million vehicles expected to be produced in the coming years—transported mainly by rail—strengthening the country’s key rail corridors and adding a new Danube crossing are strategic priorities. An EIB loan will support these investments.
To meet rising passenger needs, MÁV plans to expand seating capacity from 140,000 to 200,000 within a decade. As part of this effort, the company has purchased 93 used Swiss multiple units, which will enter service after refurbishment, adding 14,000 seats. These trains, aged 15–20 years, will primarily serve suburban routes around Debrecen, Nyíregyháza, and Miskolc. Additional new trains are planned from China, along with new InterCity coaches, some of which will operate on the Debrecen–Budapest line.
Regarding Debrecen’s Main Railway Station, Lázár said there is an internal debate within Fidesz about involving private capital in major station renovations. He argued, however, that modernising large stations—including Debrecen’s—will require substantial external funding. He pointed to Polish examples where commercial functions were expanded as part of successful station renewals.
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