Arriva wins zero-emission bus tender in Budapest and will roll out 82 BYD e-buses from end 2025

Arriva announces it has been successful in its bid to be the first operator of an electric bus fleet in the Hungarian capital of Budapest, following the award of two new 12-year contracts by the Budapest Transport Centre (BKK) authorities. Contracts were signed at a ceremony on October 3, 2024.

Arriva will introduce a completely new bus fleet with 82 fully electric buses coming into service from the end of 2025 and an option for a further 21. The supplier is BYD (a detail oddly amended in the English version of the press release, while evident in the Hungarian version of the document), and the deployment will represent one of the largest for new-generation BYD blade battery technology.

The contract comes into effect from 2026, running up until 2038. It replaces Arriva’s existing contracts in this region of Budapest.

Arriva in Budapest with e-buses

Both contract wins follow an investment made by Arriva in the electrification of its Andor depot – a programme which began more than two years ago. The depot is enabled to service around 150 buses, “which means Arriva can add to its fleet over the 12-year timeframe of the contract”, Arriva points out.

Being more specific, the electric bus fleet will include 58 rigid buses and 24 articulated buses, featuring low-floors and enhanced driver features, including digital mirrors and heated seats.

Arriva set up its Zero Emission Institute (ZEI) to act as a centre of expertise and the team there has been working alongside Hungary to provide technical support for the bus and infrastructure requirements in Budapest. Arriva’s network in Budapest spans the northern part of the city as well as the East (Pest) and West (Buda) regions, either side of the River Danube. Being the only privately owned service provider in Budapest, Arriva operates one of the youngest and most modern fleets in the country, with around 450 vehicles.

Sian Leydon, Arriva Group’s Managing Director for Mainland Europe, commented: “Our operation in Budapest is an important part of our European portfolio and I’m delighted that we have been recognised for our expertise and leadership in decarbonisation and awarded these two contracts. With 12 years ahead of us, we can invest with confidence and consolidate our position as the leading private bus operator in Hungary”.