Local services
On the 24th of January, 2024, Viktor Papp, the Fidesz-KDNP faction leader in Debrecen, and Zoltán Piros, a municipal representative, reported on the details.
In his introduction, faction leader Viktor Papp said that one of the most important decisions of the year 2024 for the Debrecen assembly would be to accept the use of free public transport for students between the ages of 6 and 14 studying in Debrecen starting from the 1st of April.
The passes will be valid for the academic year, between the 1st of April and the 31st of August 2024, and then in the following academic year from the 1st of September to the 31st of August of the following year. A child who turns 14 during the school year also has a pass that is valid until the end of the school year.
The faction leader of the Fidesz-KDNP in Debrecen pointed out that it is important to separate the announcement of the Minister of Construction and Transport János Lázár, since from the 1st of March 2024, public transport will be free of charge on the journeys of the MÁV and Volán Group. The reason for this is that while MÁV and the Volán Group are maintained by the Hungarian State, local transport falls under the scope of operation of the city and the DKV.
Free local public transport is made possible by applying for the Debrecen City Card. For those children who do not have such a City Card, the Junior Debrecen City Card system, corresponding to the free pass, will be introduced. ‘The measure will free public transport for an estimated 16,000 children, Viktor Papp added.’
‘Debrecen is a caring city where the support of families plays an important role. Through the measure, families will receive significant help, since in the case of two children, they can save HUF 120,000 per year compared to the current one,’ the faction leader said.
‘The Junior City Card not only provides free use of public transport but also entitles them to use all the discounts that are also valid with the Debrecen City Card. In this way, countless services can be used at a discount, ‘Viktor Papp said.
‘This opportunity is also open to children studying in the city but living in the agglomeration area of Debrecen since the condition for applying for the Junior City Card is that the child has a student status in Debrecen,’ the faction leader emphasised.
‘These measures came about as a result of the city’s economic development since 2014, as well as many other developments that improve the quality of life of the population, such as road construction, sidewalk construction or green developments taking place in the city, ’ Viktor Papp underlined.
Application for the City Card starts on the 5th of February, 2024, and is subject to online registration. Viktor Papp drew attention to the fact that all applicants should register by mid-March so that the children could receive their Junior City Card in time.
Registration will be available via www.debrecen.hu, where you will need the child’s OM ID and a photo.
Local government representative Zoltán Piros said that the Junior City Card would have many positive benefits, so it would be easier for schools and kindergartens to organise community programs since travel would be free of charge for them from the 1st of April 2024.
