Public Transport in Szeged will be Renewed11 September 2008
The assistance contract of the major project targeting the development of the electric public transport network in Szeged was officially signed at Anna Fountain in Szeged on 7 September.
Minister for National Development and Economy Mr Gordon Bajnai and Mayor of Szeged Mr László Botka attended the event. Tram and trolleybus lines will be extended and modernised and new bicycle routes and stands will be developed and set up as an outcome of the investment implemented within the framework of the New Hungary Development Plan.
The Local Government of Szeged decided to back the development of electric public transport in 2005; the city envisages implementing the investment with the help of funds granted by the Cohesion Fund of the European Union. The assistance contract was signed following the approval of the project by the government in July. The public transport network of Szeged will be completely renewed by 2011 with the help of this funding.
The development modernises all three tram lines running in Szeged; moreover, a new nearly 2-km-long line will also be constructed. The entire track will be replaced with new tracks along an over 18-km-long section by using state-of-the-art technology and introducing vibration-absorbing and noise reduction rubber liners. Trolleybus line 8 will be extended and one of the bus lines operating at present will be replaced by a new trolleybus line. The tram depot, trolleybus depot and power supply will also be renewed. 9 new low floor trams and 10 trolleybuses will be added to the vehicle fleet.
The bicycle route currently running through the city will be further developed and bicycle stands will be set up near terminals to promote public transport use. Public transport travel information services and traffic control will also be developed.
From among the 6 junctions, the tram junction at Anna Fountain will be completed first during the course of development activities; this is the intersection of all three tram lines currently running in the city, namely lines 1, 3 and 4. A new track connection will be established at Anna Fountain; the automatic switches to be introduced enable trams running along a single track to reverse in any direction in the case of traffic problems, and therefore the junction will also be able to function as a temporary terminal should such problems arise.
Tram stop platforms will also be renewed. The platforms along Kossuth Lajos Ring and Tisza Lajos Boulevard will be extended up to the pedestrian crossing; in addition, railings will be set up to reduce the likelihood of accidents. Platforms have been raised to ensure handicap access, articulated trams shall be long enough and handicap ramps leading to pedestrian crossings will also be built.
A part of the new trolleybus overhead contact line will be completed concurrently to the construction work: the overhead contact line of new trolleybus line 8 will be completed from Calvin Square to the former Centrum department store.
The general objective of the transport developments is to improve access and increase global, as well as regional competitiveness. A total of 1703.2 billion HUF is available for transport development in the 2007-2013-period. This is also the highest value financial framework of the New Hungary Development Plan.