Siemens Transportation Systems (TS) is to install the latest control and safety equipment for driverless operation on Line 4 of the Budapest metro, which is currently under construction in the Hungarian capital. This will make the new route the first fully automated metro line in Hungary. A corresponding order which is worth about 109 million euros and also includes electrification of the line has been placed with Siemens Transportation Systems by BKV Zrt, the Budapest rapid transit authority.

Fully automatic operation of the new Line 4 will enable a maximum speed of 80 km/h and headways of 90 seconds. It will also make it possible to adapt the number of vehicles in service to changes in the number of passengers much more quickly and flexibly. Budapest's new metro route passes underneath the River Danube and connects the municipal districts of Kelenföld (South Buda) and Rákospalota (East Pest). With a total of ten stops, the line runs entirely below grade and its first section is 7.4 kilometers long. The scope of supply also includes a fully automatic depot. This is located above ground in the vicinity of Kelenfoldi station and, when completed, will be used for servicing and maintenance of the metro vehicles. Inauguration of the new line is planned for May 2010. During the start-up phase, train attendants will continue to travel on the metro trains.

Siemens TS is responsible for the control and safety equipment, the telecommunications, the power supply and the equipment for the operations control center. In addition, Siemens is to supply both the trackside and onboard components for the automatic train control system.

This new contract follows an order given to Siemens in 2004 that called for upgrading of the control and safety equipment on Budapest’s 2nd metro line. This work is being done during ongoing passenger services. The new system for Line M2 will start operating in June 2008.