Greener technologies, less pollutants, better air, improved health. These are some of Hungary’s goals under a plan to start cleaning up its bus fleet.

To support the shift to green transport, the revised Clean Vehicles Directive was amended by the European Union in 2019. The directive encourages Member States, cities and companies to switch to cleaner technology for buses and trucks.

>@

The Hungarian government is working with Volánbusz, a state-owned bus fleet management company, to finance the gradual purchase of over 3 200 cleaner buses across the nation, representing almost half of the national fleet. The project is being backed by a European Investment Bank loan. This project aims to develop Volánbusz’s plan to put cleaner buses on the roads and develop alternative fuel technologies. The project represents an important element of the country's transition towards a more energy-efficient and low-emission public transport sector.

The fleet renewal project is expected to take three years. It will improve reliability, safety and comfort, and encourage more people to use buses.

>@

The Advisory Hub brought together experts in sustainable urban transport to examine the situation in Hungary and help Volánbusz identify areas to improve. By understanding the organisation’s specific requirements during the inception phase, the team designed a tailor-made advisory package that will make it easier to prepare and implement the bus project.

The renewal plan will bring cleaner, low-emission transport and more attractive buses to the country. It will also encourage more people to use public transport. This is another important step in Europe’s transition to a more efficient and less polluting public transport sector.