MÁV to launch tenders for new rail and HÉV replacement buses later this year

The public procurement procedures for new buses to serve HÉV replacement services and rail replacement operations linked to the major railway track renewals of the coming years will be published in 2026, the Ministry of Transport and Investment told our publication. The professional preparation of the procurements is currently under way with the involvement of the MÁV Group.

The planned vehicle procurements were announced by Dávid Vitézy, minister of transport and investment, at the presentation of the Baross Gábor Railway Development Plan. The concept is based on two distinct areas of operation: the MÁV Group would procure new urban articulated buses for replacement services that become necessary on HÉV lines, while coaches would be purchased for longer-distance rail replacement services required by railway track renewals. In the latter category, the use of high-capacity double-deck vehicles could also be considered, although the ministry has not yet confirmed this possibility.

According to the ministry, buses specifically intended for long-distance operation, including motorway services, are being considered for rail replacement duties. The ministry sees a need to procure comfortable, air-conditioned vehicles equipped with modern amenities, capable of providing appropriate travel conditions for passengers during track closures caused by railway renewals.

The creation of a large-scale replacement bus fleet is justified by the schedule of railway renewals planned for the coming years. According to the ministry, during the implementation of the Baross Gábor plan there will be periods when works requiring rail replacement services are taking place on four or five main lines at the same time. This could require significant additional capacity compared with the bus fleet currently available.

For the time being, however, the ministry has not provided figures on the exact number of vehicles or the detailed technical requirements. What is already certain is that the process will not remain merely at the preparation stage: the ministry confirmed to our publication that the public procurement procedures for buses intended for HÉV and rail replacement duties will be published before the end of this year. Once the tenders are released, the number of vehicles and their detailed technical specifications are therefore also expected to become known.