Hungarian socialists urge broad rail upgrades over state’s airport purchase

László Varga called on the government to reconsider its plans and embark on a broad upgrade of the country's rail network. #socialists #rail #Hungariangovernment

The money the government plans to spend on the takeover of Liszt Ferenc International Airport could instead be invested in comprehensive upgrades to Hungary’s rail network, the opposition Socialist Party said on Wednesday.

The HUF 1,536 billion (EUR 4bn) the government reportedly wants to spend on Liszt Ferenc International operator Budapest Airport could be spent on the public procurement of 115 electric locomotives, motor trains and doubling the train fleet, László Varga, the party’s deputy leader, told an online press conference.

Neither do budget and air transport experts think the government’s purchase would be justified, he said.

The government “has recently spent HUF 700 billion on the takeover of a mobile service provider, so the funds are there, but the cabinet isn’t spending them in the right places”, Varga said, referring to Antenna Hungaria and state-owned Corvinus’s acquisition of Vodafone Hungary.

Hungary’s rail network “is in crisis, lacks funding, and there are not enough trains or staff”, he said.

Half of the money to be allocated towards the takeover of the airport would be enough to replace the entire rolling stock fleet, while the other half could be enough for comprehensive network maintenance, he said.

The socialist politician called on the government to reconsider its plans and embark on a broad upgrade of the country’s rail network.

One comment

  1. From what external source, as the Orban Government, is functioning in a pattern financially, that is likened to the emptying of all the Money Boxes, hopefully not those of there children, of the Fidesz Membership, to kept the Government afloat.
    The robbing of Peter to pay Paul – modern day version of this Historical phrase.
    Endeavours to eliminate one pressing debt but in the course of the decision / action process, the creation of “other” incurring Debts.
    Orban – destroyed the European Union Funding arrangement through ABUSE, by not playing conducting affairs in line with European Policies.
    The Economic picture continues downhill in Hungary.
    HOW does Orban propose to undertake – find the MONEY to – the subject of this article purchase Ferenc Liszt Airport ?
    HOW – does the Orban Government – intend to keep FINANCING Hungary ?

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