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Budapest M3 metro extension progress

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-09 18:58 UTC → 2026-08-10 09:11 UTC · added removed

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 decision M3 extension as a historic step for the city’s public transport, step, noting that the extension it will create a new interchange with suburban rail services. While detailed plans exist for a further extension to Káposztásmegyer, the initial phase will add two new stations to reach the Rákospalota‑Újpest station. The is projected to cost for this phase remains between 120 billion and 160 billion forints (€330-440 million), with a target 2030 completion date of 2030. The Baross Gábor plan, which allows EU-funded projects under the IKOP Plus program to proceed, also includes upgrading major rail lines, modernizing the Budapest HÉV suburban network, and reconstructing several main stations. Regarding the M3 extension, target, officials warned that tendering delays, procurement disputes, delays or utility-work setbacks procurement issues could jeopardize the 2030 deadline. timeline. Funding gaps persist; the city has spent 2.9 billion forints on planning, persist, and the procurement of new rolling stock from Russian-controlled Metrowagonmash has been halted. Analysts suggest the extension could increase nearby property values by 5-10% and reduce road traffic through improved intermodal integration.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-10 09:11 UTC Budapest M3 metro extension progress
  2. 2026-08-09 18:58 UTC Budapest M3 metro extension progress
  3. 2026-07-30 10:39 UTC Budapest M3 Metro extension progress
  4. 2026-07-27 14:43 UTC Budapest M3 Metro extension project

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