After it opened to the public in 2014, a daily average of 100,000 people rode on the M4 metro line running between the Keleti and Kelenföld train stations.

One year later, average daily traffic went up to 160,000, rising to 190,000 passengers by the end of 2019, according to the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK).

Only 13 of the 15 Alstom metro carriages serving on the line are allowed to go into service at peak hours, but that will no longer be sufficient if the number of passengers continues to increase.

The BKK says that the two-and-a-half minute metro frequency in peak hours can be reduced only if more metro carriages are put into service on the M4.

Although Alstom trains also run along the M2 line, their technical parameters differ from those purchased for the M4, so they cannot be used on the newer line.

Late last year the BKK increased the running schedule on the M4 in peak hours, so that trains can transport nearly 15% more passengers.

MTI Photo: Máthé Zoltán