Passengers travelling on Hungary’s busy Budapest–Győr–Vienna main railway line are facing significant delays and service disruptions this weekend due to an overhead line failure near Tatabánya. According to Hungarian railway company MÁV, the incident has led to single-track operation and extended travel times of up to 40 minutes throughout Saturday evening.
Semmelweis EuroCity train damaged mid-journey
The disruption began Saturday afternoon when the pantograph (an essential part of the electric traction system) broke off the locomotive of the Semmelweis EuroCity train (EC 148), which was en route from Budapest to Vienna, Telex reported. The damage occurred shortly after the train passed Szárliget station.
Due to the loss of power, the train had to be brought to a standstill. Passengers were evacuated from the disabled EuroCity train and transferred to a replacement train with assistance from Hungary’s disaster management services.
Bus replacements and reduced capacity on the key route
The incident also caused damage to the overhead lines between Tatabánya and Szárliget, forcing trains to operate on only one track along that section of the Győr main line. As a result, longer travel times and traffic changes are in effect until late Saturday evening.
To accommodate affected passengers, replacement buses are operating between Bicske and Tatabánya in place of the S12 suburban train service. MÁV has advised all travellers heading west toward Győr or Vienna, or returning to Budapest, to expect delays of 25 to 40 minutes and to check current timetables before departure.
MÁV working to restore normal operations
Railway maintenance teams are working to repair the damaged infrastructure and restore full service as quickly as possible. However, MÁV has not yet provided a specific timeline for full resolution.
The Budapest–Győr–Vienna railway line is one of Hungary’s most important international and domestic rail corridors, connecting the capital with major western cities. Disruptions like this can have a significant ripple effect on both local commuter services and international travel.
Passengers are encouraged to monitor real-time updates on MÁV’s official website or mobile app for the latest travel information.
Read more railway-related news on Daily News Hungary.
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