# Budapest M3 metro extension progress > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/budapest-m3-metro-extension-project > Updated: 2026-08-07T05:35:04.000Z. Sources: 28. Developments: 3. In late July 2026, Hungarian officials confirmed that European Union funds will support the first phase of extending Budapest’s busiest metro line, M3, from its current northern terminus at Újpest‑központ to the Rákospalota‑Újpest railway station. Transport and Investment Minister Dávid Vitézy announced the extension as part of the ten‑year Baross Gábor Railway Development Plan, a massive infrastructure project valued at 3,550 billion HUF (approximately €9.7 billion). On August 7, 2026, Minister Vitézy officially launched the Baross Gábor Railway Development Plan. The decade-long initiative relies heavily on the Integrated Transport Development Operational Programme Plus (IKOP Plus), which provides 1,406 billion HUF in the current EU funding cycle and 950 billion HUF in commitments for the next. Beyond the M3 extension, the plan includes modernizing the Budapest HÉV suburban network, upgrading major lines serving Miskolc and Szeged to support speeds of 160 km/h, and reconstructing stations in Debrecen and Pécs. The program also covers the procurement of new InterCity trains, HÉV vehicles, and battery-powered trains for non-electrified regional routes. Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony described the M3 extension as a historic step, noting it will create a new interchange with suburban rail services. While the initial phase to reach Rákospalota‑Újpest is projected to cost between 120 billion and 160 billion forints with a 2030 completion target, officials warned that tendering delays or procurement issues could jeopardize the timeline. Funding gaps persist, and the procurement of rolling stock from Metrowagonmash has been halted. ## Claims - The Baross Gábor Railway Development Plan has a total budget of 3,550 billion HUF over ten years. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The IKOP Plus program provides 1,406 billion HUF in the current EU cycle and 950 billion HUF in commitments for the next cycle. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The Miskolc and Szeged main lines are to be upgraded to 160 km/h. (corroborated by 10 sources) - The plan includes modernization of the Budapest HÉV network and the potential extension of the M3 metro line. (corroborated by 10 sources) - New battery-powered trains may be procured for non-electrified lines toward Salgótarján and Szekszárd. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Planned railway upgrades include the Budapest–Veresegyház–Vác and Budapest–Lajosmizse–Kecskemét lines. (corroborated by 8 sources) - MÁV freight electricity consumption decreased by 91.5 percent during a critical five-hour window due to emergency measures. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Eighteen railway companies temporarily suspended 45 electric freight trains to save energy. (corroborated by 3 sources) - 13 new electric buses arrived in Kaposvár in July 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The autonomous bus test route will be approximately 4.7 km between Egyenesi Road and Csik Ferenc promenade. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Kaposvár plans to operate 44 electric buses by the end of summer 2026. (single source) - The electric bus program is funded by a 15 billion‑forint contract. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-07: Hungary launches 3,550 billion HUF Baross Gábor Railway Development Plan Minister Dávid Vitézy has launched the 3,550 billion HUF Baross Gábor Railway Development Plan to modernize Hungary's rail network using extensive EU and national funding. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/v-hd-zrt-wins-railway-welding-tender-amid-controversy-in-hungary ### 2026-07-27: Budapest approves costly M3 metro extension to Rákospalota‑Újpest Budapest will extend the M3 metro to Rákospalota‑Újpest by 2030, at a cost of 120‑160 billion forints, amid tight scheduling and funding challenges. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/budapest-approves-costly-m3-metro-extension-to-rkospalotajpest ### 2026-07-22: Budapest Extends M3 Metro Northward with EU Funding EU funds will finance the extension of Budapest’s M3 metro north to Rákospalota‑Újpest, part of a HUF 3.55 trn rail plan; Mayor Karácsony calls it a historic step. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/budapest-extends-m3-metro-northward-with-eu-funding --- Cite as: Budapest M3 metro extension progress. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/budapest-m3-metro-extension-project