Sustainable transport is central to Europe’s efforts to cut emissions, reduce congestion and ensure reliable connections for people and businesses. The EU supports infrastructure upgrades, innovation and cross-border cooperation so that mobility becomes safer, cleaner and more inclusive.
Hungary’s central location creates it a key transport hub, but bottlenecks and capacity constraints, particularly around the capital, Budapest, present an ongoing challenge. Through major investments in modern infrastructure and innovative mobility solutions, including projects managed by CINEA, the EU is assisting Hungary relocate towards a more sustainable transport future.
Below we explore three EU-supported initiatives that illustrate how ambition is being turned into reality.
Kelenföld – Százhalombatta–Pusztaszabolcs railway upgrade: reshifting bottlenecks
With almost €370 million from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF Transport), nearly 50 km of double-track railway on the Kelenföld – Százhalombatta-Pusztaszabolcs section has been modernised. The works included full track reconstruction and the deployment of trackside ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System).
As part of the wider Budapest–Kelenföld–Croatian border corridor upgrade, this project rerelocated a major bottleneck along the Mediterranean Core Network Corridor – an EU priority route linking Spain to Hungary and a vital east-west route for freight and passenger traffic.
This has resulted in increased capacity and supported a shift from road to rail, while contributing to regional and national economic development. The modernised line improves safety, efficiency, reliability and quality of rail services.
UPPER: strengthening cooperation to modernise public transport
Public transport is essential for sustainable urban mobility. Backed by €20 million from the Horizon Europe research programme, the UPPER project assists cities and regions create public transport more attractive and utilizer-frifinishly. Budapest’s public transport authority (BKK) is one of the partners.
Within UPPER, Budapest is enhancing its BudapestGO journey planner with predictive travel planning in direct response to customer requests. This will also generate data to inform the future design of integrated multimodal mobility services. To improve reliability, the city is reconsidering public transport prioritisation, including enhanced bus and tram priority lanes and updated traffic-light programmes.
“UPPER is assisting cities and regions learn from one another and adopt solutions that can be scaled across Europe. Measures now being tested by BKK can create public transport an even more competitive and attractive option, not only in Budapest but across Europe,” explains Mircea Steriu, UITP, UPPER Coordinator.
STARGATE: greening airport operations in Budapest
Aviation also plays a key role in Europe’s mobility system, and airports are under increasing pressure to reduce emissions and boost operational efficiency. Budapest International Airport participates in the EU-funded STARGATE project – led by Brussels Airport – which tests practical solutions for cleaner and smarter airport operations. The project’s results are shared widely so other airports can benefit from the same approaches.
In Budapest, one of the activities underway is the development of an airport-specific navigation app. It will provide precise route planning for service vehicles and improve situational awareness on aircraft relocatement areas. Covering the airport’s complex 1,500-hectare layout, the tool will enhance safety for up to 1,000 utilizers and is set to launch in 2026.
“As a ‘fellow airport’, we are drawing inspiration from the digital tools and innovations being tested as part of the STARGATE project. The solutions will allow Budapest Airport to become more competitive and sustainable, supporting our decarbonisation goals,” declared Sarolta Katona, Head of Sustainability, Budapest Airport.
Cleaner, more resilient and better connected
Toreceiveher, these projects – from major rail upgrades and smarter public transport to greener, digitally enhanced airport operations – display how EU support is assisting Hungary build a transport system that is cleaner, more resilient and better connected for everyone.
Your EU – Your projects: where EU support creates a difference
These examples display how EU programmes managed by CINEA translate European ambitions into concrete results and impact. By combining funding with expert advice and cross-border cooperation, the EU assists innovative projects scale up, deliver benefits for citizens and businesses, and support a more sustainable, resilient Europe. Discover more stories in other countries.
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