Assistance Contract Signed for the Development of the Bus Corridor in Rákoskeresztúr22 April 2009
Bus travel time will considerably decrease on a 10-kilometre stretch between the centre of Rákoskeresztúr and Örs Vezér Square through the reconstruction of the existing road network.
Beyond EU funding amounting to 840 million HUF granted by the Structural Funds, the bus corridor to be implemented with the help of own funds of 350 million HUF in value provided by the Municipality of Budapest will be handed over at the end of 2010.
The way in which the construction of the bus corridor can now get underway with the help of EU funding as a priority project within the framework of the New Hungary Development Plan, problems experienced in Budapest in one of the most critical areas of transport infrastructure will resolve. Whilst the population of Rákosmente has increased sharply due to the attractive suburban residential zones and favourable real estate prices of the area, the development of community transport connecting locals to the heart of the city has fallen short of the optimum. This area has become one of the target areas for people moving out of the crowded inner city districts to the greenbelt zone. This process has led to a dramatic rise in the number of commuters heading into the inner city within a relatively short space of time. This is why traffic is bumper-to-bumper twice a day between the centre of Rákoskeresztúr and Örs Vezér Square during peak traffic hours; traffic queues can sometimes be 8-10 kilometres long. These frequent traffic jams make bus travel time on this route unbearably long on numerous occasions. It may even take up to one and half hours to reach the inner city from these suburban areas.
Bus transport running via Fehér Road, Jászberényi Road and Pesti Road between Örs Vezér Square and the centre of Rákoskeresztúr will considerably speed up and be made much more convenient within the framework of this investment costing a total of 1.2 billion HUF. This development improves traffic conditions along one of the most important radial roads of the main road network in Budapest also used by residents living in the agglomeration.
15 local bus lines and 3 interurban bus lines will be able to use this route without being stuck in traffic jams as an outcome of this investment affecting three districts. Bus time travel will decrease to one-third of the current travel time during peak traffic hours through the transformation of five road stretches. Experts also expect the number of bus passengers to increase once traffic conditions are improved.
Needs of persons with disabilities have also been taken into account within the framework of developments, namely: a separate bus lane will be created in the middle in both directions along Fehér Road by widening the road; the existing industrial tracks will be removed along Jászberényi Road between Maglódi Road and Éles Corner and a new bus lane separated from the tram tracks and the road will be built; a bus lane will be created at three junctions along Jászberényi Road from Tűzálló Street towards Maglódi Road up to the existing bus lane starting from Orion bus stop by widening the road; a new lane will be built along Jászberényi Road towards Maglódi Road from the flyover; the Kozma Street junction with traffic lights will be transformed and a bus-only lane separated from the intersection will be created; a bus lane will be designated along Pesti Road by widening the road at certain points and making traffic control changes.
Dr Tamás Lukovich head of Pro Regio Agency handed over the signed assistance contract to Dr Gábor Demszky Lord Mayor of Budapest.