HUNGARIAN operator MÁV-Start received delivery of the first of 12 Stadler Citylink tram-trains on January 9, for operation between Szeged and Hódmezővásárhely.
The 37.2m-long dual-system tram-trains were ordered under a contract awarded by MÁV-Start. Eight vehicles were initially ordered, with four more following in July 2020. Each vehicle costs €6.4m ($US 7.8m).
The tram-trains will be in operation from late September 2021, following testing and approval of the first three units and eight vehicles are scheduled to enter service by the end of November 2021, with the full fleet in operation from the second half of 2022.
The tram-trains will operate on light rail networks in the Szeged and Hódmezővásárhely and will also use the 22km non-electrified mainline between Szeged-Rókus and Hódmezővásárhelyi Népkert. The vehicles will be based at a depot in Szentes.
Introduction of the new fleet will follow a Forint 54bn ($US 182.6m) programme of improvements which includes the reconstruction of the mainline and the construction of a single-track light rail line with three passing loops in Hódmezővásárhely.
The low-floor vehicles have a top speed of 100km/h on the mainline using traction system comprising two 390kW diesel engines, and will operate under 600V dc overhead electrification at 50km/h on light rail lines.
The vehicles have four doors on each side and have a maximum capacity of 216 passengers, including 92 seated. The vehicles have spaces are provided for wheelchair users, bikes or prams, and are equipped with air-conditioning, CCTV and passenger information systems.
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