Debrecen4U June 30, 2025

Public transport in Debrecen may operate under more favourable conditions from 2026

If an agreement is reached, passengers may be allowed to use county passes and the national pass on DKV (Debrecen’s transport company) services.

Previously, at a government press event held in Berettyóújfalu, Minister János Lázár stated that negotiations are underway between the relevant ministry and Debrecen’s municipality. The goal is for Hajdú-Bihar county passes and national passes to be accepted on local public transport in Debrecen—and for DKV passes to be usable on county-level transport services as well.

This topic was also on the agenda at the latest meeting of Debrecen City Council.

Mayor László Papp elaborated on this in a local TV interview, explaining that the key to the negotiations is ensuring that if cheaper passes, such as the county or national passes, are to be valid for Debrecen’s public transport, someone must cover the resulting financial losses. He pointed out that revenue from tickets and passes currently covers only one-third of Debrecen’s public transport operating costs. This means that, apart from minimal state support, the city must absorb an annual loss of HUF 8–9 billion.

He admitted that it’s not sustainable for the city to cover this expense fully every year. Last year, the city funded the full shortfall; this year, it can only finance half, which has led to the need for expanding the credit line—a short-term fix, not a long-term solution.

Therefore, a new agreement with the state is essential to finance public transport sustainably. These talks are ongoing.

Mayor László Papp concluded that, from 2026, with a new funding model, it will be possible to ensure more favourable conditions for maintaining public transport in Debrecen.

Source: dehir.hu | Photo: Facebook (Papp László)