Latest news in Hungary - 9 Jan 2025

- Transportation Action Plan Unveiled: Hungarian Minister of Construction and Transport, János Lázár, introduced a ten-point action plan to improve public transport. Notable features include a new "delay insurance" for train delays over 20 minutes, forthcoming renovations for train station facilities, and plans for acquiring 1,000 new buses. A user-friendly MÁV app is also set to launch in April. Read more here

- Enhanced Railway Measures Post-Accident: Following a tragic railway accident in July, Lázár stressed the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the traffic code to better accommodate all street users, including pedestrians and cyclists. Although the railway company MÁV is facing financial challenges with a budget of 20 billion forints for development this year, there is optimism regarding improvements. Read more here

- Political Tensions Arising from Sanctions: Antal Rogán, a prominent Hungarian minister, has been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department due to corruption allegations. This has led to accusations from the Hungarian government, framing it as a retaliatory move. Analysts speculate on the future of these sanctions, especially with a potential change in U.S. administration on the horizon. Read more here

- New Danube Bridge Planned Near Mohács: János Lázár announced plans for a new Danube bridge estimated to cost 389 billion HUF, aimed at enhancing freight traffic with an expressway under construction in Serbia. This project is expected to boost Hungary's economy if it successfully redirects cargo traffic, despite debates on its necessity given existing infrastructure. Read more here

- Young Hungarians to Receive Free European Train Passes: A total of 787 young Hungarians will gain free train passes through the DiscoverEU program, enabling travel across Europe from March 2025 to May 2026. This initiative encourages youth mobility and was met with significant interest, having received over 135,000 applications across Europe. Read more here

- Massive Drinking Container Recycling Initiative: Hungary's MOHU packaging return system has achieved over 1 billion returned drink containers in six months, generating around 50 billion HUF in revenue. The initiative has raised funds for local hospitals and aims for a 90% return rate in three years, despite facing challenges like long queues and machine malfunctions. Read more here

- Political Name-Calling Escalates: A confrontation between László Kövér and Péter Magyar has drawn attention due to intense political rhetoric involving references to historical figures. This exchange underscores existing tensions and differing interpretations of history in Hungary's political landscape. Read more here

- Changes to Local Post Office Services: The Hungarian Postal Service plans to convert ten local post offices into partner service locations as part of a broader effort to adapt to declining usage rates. This change is expected to be implemented shortly, with ancient post offices being modernized and partnered with local businesses. Read more here

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