Passenger services on the Budapest-Belgrade railway line could be launched in the near future, according to Hungary’s Minister for Transport and Investment, Dávid Vitézy.

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Vitézy said the project had reached an important stage following months of testing and preparations involving the Hungarian and Chinese construction companies, the investment joint venture, MÁV and railway authorities.

A full-load test is scheduled for 3 and 4 October, when trains will operate without passengers for several hours at speeds of up to 160 kilometres per hour, following the daytime peak-hour timetable. The final decision on the launch of scheduled passenger services will only be made after the tests have been completed and their results evaluated.

According to Vitézy, stringent safety checks have been carried out on the Budapest-Belgrade line since the summer. Minor problems and faults have emerged, but most have already been corrected, while work on some issues remains ongoing.

Tuesday’s meeting brought together representatives of MÁV, the Hungarian and Chinese construction companies, MÁV Pályaműködtető, independent experts and the railway authority. Vitézy said the parties confirmed that no safety-critical fault had been identified in the train control system, including during the most thorough testing so far.

He nevertheless stressed that passengers would only be allowed to use the new line once all safety checks had produced positive results and these had been confirmed by the relevant authorities and independent experts. “The launch of passenger services is now within sight,” Vitézy wrote, while stressing that safety requirements would not be compromised.

Never miss a headline: join Daily News Hungary’s Telegram channel!

The October tests of the Budapest-Belgrade line will simulate a high level of traffic, with trains running for several hours according to the daytime peak timetable. Vitézy also warned residents living along railway line 150 that passenger facilities along the route will still be construction sites during the tests. Only authorised testing personnel and staff will be allowed to enter these areas.

He urged the public to exercise particular caution at railway level crossings as the number of trains using the line increases in October. Residents were asked to cross the railway only at designated crossings, obeying signals and following the applicable safety rules.

In case you missed it: Volánbusz scandal – what we know about why one of Hungary’s wealthiest was detained

The October full-load test represents another important stage before passenger operations can begin, but it does not guarantee that services will start immediately afterwards. The final decision will depend on the test results and their assessment by the relevant authorities and independent experts.

Vitézy’s announcement indicates that the Budapest-Belgrade railway is moving closer to passenger operation, but the exact launch date can only be decided after the successful completion of the remaining safety checks.

Read also: Travel across Hungary for less than EUR 3 during European Mobility Week’s Car-Free Day