Debrecen4U September 2, 2026

Matters Concerning Public Transport in Debrecen

Information from the Municipality of Debrecen regarding the reconstruction of Tram Line 1 and preparations for the development of tram-train services.

Renovation of Tram Line 1

The government decree on the designation of the priority projects under the Integrated Transport Development Operational Programme Plus was published on 5 March 2024. (This specifically identifies the Debrecen development project.)

Project title: “Reconstruction of Debrecen Tram Line 1 and procurement of 9 trams”
Technical requirements: Renewal of the rolling stock operating on Debrecen Tram Line 1 with new low-floor trams, together with the development of the tram infrastructure. With indicative funding of HUF 23.2 billion.

This included the reconstruction of Tram Line 1 and the procurement of 9 trams, for which the available funding was HUF 23.2 billion.

The submission of the application was hindered by the requirements of Section 123 of the government decree on “the rules governing the use of support from certain European Union funds during the 2021–2027 programming period”. Debrecen requested amendments to this provision from the ministries on several occasions, but no amendment was made.

The legislation stipulated that a signed conditional contractor agreement had to be in place as a condition for submitting the application, in respect of the project element constituting the fundamental objective of the project. To procure and conclude such an agreement, it would have been necessary to pre-finance from the city’s own resources the feasibility study, the planning and construction documentation, as well as ancillary contracts related to the preparatory work, with an estimated preliminary cost of nearly HUF 900 million.

Since 8 August 2026, an amendment to the Integrated Transport Development Operational Programme Plus has been in force, under which the following is designated as a priority project:

Project title: “Reconstruction of Debrecen Main Railway Station, preparations for surrounding tram-train services, development of the tram network, and preparatory works”
Technical requirements: Reconstruction of Debrecen Main Railway Station, preparation of an intermodal transport hub, development of Debrecen’s tram network in preparation for tram-train operations shared with the railway lines around the city (106 and 108), and preparations for the renovation of Tram Line 1. With indicative funding of HUF 7.8 billion.

The government decision concerning the renovation of Tram Line 1 and the procurement of rolling stock represents a withdrawal of more than HUF 15 billion from Debrecen. Under the decision, the reconstruction of the main railway station, the development of tram-train operations shared with the railway lines, and the renovation of Tram Line 1 will be designed and planned.

Tram-train

In the long term, tram-train services could be implemented in Debrecen, but operating them in the city-centre area could present a number of challenges.

The reconstruction of Tram Line 1 is necessary independently of the tram-train project, as the creation of technically reliable infrastructure is a fundamental prerequisite for establishing tram-train services. The current condition of the tram track requires a minimum of HUF 200–300 million in own-source investment annually, which is sufficient only for rail replacement; a complete reconstruction is required for a safe, long-term solution. The KCSV tram vehicles will reach the age of 30 in 2027, making their replacement essential both from technical and passenger-comfort perspectives.

Key technical tasks involved in implementing tram-train services

• resolving the track geometry at Petőfi Square,
• verifying the compatibility of the wheel–rail–point interaction,
• examining the energy supply and traffic capacity of the shared section,
• establishing the MÁV–DKV system connection between the Main Railway Station and Petőfi Square.

The introduction of tram-train services cannot be achieved simply by procuring new vehicles and creating a mainline railway–tram track connection. Several elements of the urban infrastructure must be adapted to the requirements of the future vehicles, particularly with regard to power supply and track construction.

It is important to note that:

• tram-train services will not replace the services provided by Tram Lines 1 and 2 or meet local travel demand;
• the existing track network is suitable in every respect for urban tram operation, but in its current condition it is not suitable for accommodating tram-train vehicles; the lower wheel loads applicable to tram tracks (generally 10 tonnes instead of the 16 tonnes used on mainline railways) must be observed;
• the introduction of tram-train services will only be possible with a modernised, refurbished track network suitable for dual use, including points and crossings, overhead line infrastructure and power supply; a complete reconstruction of the shared section and Line 1 is unavoidable;
• tight-radius curves need to be reviewed (Petőfi Square and Pálma on Line 1; Csokonai Grammar School on Line 2). On mainline railways, curves generally have a minimum radius of more than 25 metres;
• the proximity of buildings needs to be reviewed (the Great Reformed Church, Thomas Mann Street, and the residential buildings on Békéssy Béla Street);
• the shared section is already heavily used, with services running every 2–3 minutes during peak periods;
• platform reconstruction, a review of the curves and an assessment of the dynamic loading gauge are required.

Dávid Vitézy’s statement of 22 July:

“…We will make this railway station accessible, and in both directions along railway lines 106 and 109 we will also examine whether tram-train services can be introduced. We believe that they probably can.

So, we intend to introduce in Debrecen the type of solution used between Szeged and Hódmezővásárhely, which, although not inexpensive overall, I believe is a positive example, where the line operates as a tram within the cities and as a suburban railway between them. We would like to establish this type of solution in Debrecen as well, so that Tram Line 1 can continue north and south onto the suburban railway lines without the need to change. Naturally, we will seek cooperation with Debrecen on this, and we hope that we will receive the necessary support…”

As part of our efforts to cooperate, the Municipality has contacted the minister six times since May 2026. To date, we have received no substantive response to any of our letters.

Zsolt Tárkányi’s Facebook post of 22 July:

“Tram-train in Debrecen: as a first step, we would like to reopen the 106 Nagykereki railway line, which was closed by Fidesz for the sake of a battery factory, and later integrate it into Debrecen’s Tram Line 1. For example, passengers could travel from Derecske to Kossuth Square or from Pocsaj to the clinics without changing. We also plan to do the same later with the 109 Tiszalök–Hajdúnánás–Hajdúböszörmény railway line, which would greatly facilitate the daily journeys of people living in Józsa. As part of this, Tram Line 1 would undergo a complete reconstruction and new vehicles capable of operating as tram-trains would be procured.”

Developments implemented at DKV in recent years:

The fleet replacement programme began on 3 January 2022, resulting in a total of 119 buses being replaced by September 2024. In addition, 12 electric buses were put into service.

In February 2023, DKV Zrt.’s vehicle fleet was expanded by a further 10 Mercedes-Benz Conecto low-floor single-deck buses.

A further 15 new articulated Mercedes-Benz G Conecto buses will arrive in the first half of 2027 to better meet passenger demand.

From 1 April 2024, free travel was introduced for students under the age of 14. By June 2026, more than 20,600 people had been able to travel using the Junior Debrecen City Card.

On 24 December 2025, the integrated fare system came into effect. Between 1 January and 30 June 2026, a total of 191,642 Hajdú-Bihar County Passes were sold by DKV and the MÁV Group in Hajdú-Bihar County.

From 1 April 2026, subject to certain conditions, all dogs can travel free of charge on the company’s bus, trolleybus and tram services. From 1 May 2025, the Zsuzsi Forest Railway also introduced free travel for all dogs on its trains.

In September 2025, 11 students began studying to become Alternative Vehicle Propulsion Technicians at DKV Zrt.’s Salétrom Street premises as part of a dual vocational training programme. Two of them are already working for DKV as vehicle mechanics. A new two-year training programme is starting this year.

Source and photo credit: debrecen.hu