Arriva wins the first zero-emission bus tenders in Budapest

Arriva has been successful in its bid to be the first operator of an electric bus fleet in the Hungarian capital of Budapest, following the award of two new 12-year contracts by the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) authorities. Contracts were signed at a ceremony earlier today (October 3, 2024).

Arriva will introduce a completely new bus fleet with 82 fully electric buses coming into service from the end of 2025 and an option for a further 21.  The new vehicles are set to transform passenger transport in Budapest by bringing cleaner, quieter, more modern bus services to the city.

Both contract wins follow an investment made by Arriva in the electrification of its Andor depot – a programme which began more than two years ago.  The depot is enabled to service around 150 buses, which means Arriva can add to its fleet over the 12-year timeframe of the contract.

Sian Leydon, Arriva Group’s Managing Director for Mainland Europe, commented: “Our operation in Budapest is an important part of our European portfolio and I’m delighted that we have been recognised for our expertise and leadership in decarbonisation and awarded these two contracts.  With 12 years ahead of us, we can invest with confidence and consolidate our position as the leading private bus operator in Hungary”.

The new buses will serve some of the most important routes into the city centre and are expected to significantly reduce air pollution. The fleet will include 58 rigid buses and 24 articulated buses, featuring low-floors and enhanced driver features, including digital mirrors and heated seats.  The contract comes into effect from 2026, running up until 2038. It replaces Arriva’s existing contracts in this region of Budapest.

The focus on sustainable transport solutions is a key part of Arriva’s strategy across Europe, having gained considerable experience from countries like Netherlands, Spain and the UK where fleet decarbonisation has matured.  Arriva set up its Zero Emission Institute (ZEI) to act as a centre of expertise and the team there has been working alongside Hungary to provide technical support for the bus and infrastructure requirements in Budapest.

Arriva’s network in Budapest spans the northern part of the city as well as the East (Pest) and West (Buda) regions, either side of the River Danube.  It is a key player in the domestic bus market and operates one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the country, with around 450 vehicles.  It has been preparing for electrification with the conversion of its Andor Street depot so it can continue to modernise its fleet. 

Arriva is the only privately owned service provider in Budapest, where it has operated since 1999.

About Arriva Group:

Arriva is a leading provider of passenger transport across Europe, employing around 34,400 people and delivering around 1.6 billion passenger journeys. With buses, trains, coaches, trams, waterbuses, bike-sharing systems, on-demand transport solutions and a rolling stock leasing company, Arriva proudly connects people and communities safely, reliably and sustainably across 11 countries, delivering these services in a better way, every day. The activities of Arriva are divided into four business units: UK Bus, UK Trains, The Netherlands and Mainland Europe. Arriva has passenger transport operations in the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom, and also operates a rolling stock leasing company in Romania.