Transport policies in Hungary - historical background and current practice for national and regional level

Abstract

Introduction This paper presents an overview of the current and past evolution of the Hungarian Transport Policies and investigates how and what kind of results could be used in the future transport concepts and strategies. It also examines the practice of coordination between the different territorial and administrative levels of transport planning. It aims to identify the applied policy instruments and the monitoring processes installed. Methods By using literature and legal background review from the past and current plans and policies the paper will also share the author's own empirical work experience while participating in the elaboration of the New National Transport Strategy (NKS) as well as an insight from the Transport Policy for Budapest (Balázs Mór Plan). It gives an overview about the recent changes in the Transport Policy of Hungary and its implication for the project priority lists. Results The expected results are the clear identification of synergies and gaps among the ongoing policies together with the divulgation of good and bad practices for the wider professional audience. Conclusions The need for a sustainable transport system, which assumes a sustainable economy as well is a huge challenge for policy makers. In order to avoid parallel policy making (especially when making policies for different areas) and minimize the economic and social cost of transport, we need a coordinated, multimodal approach, which includes the necessary organizations and public private bodies (with secure and sustainable financial background) with exact tasks and responsibility on all territorial levels.

Kwantyfikacja i analiza rozwoju zrównoważonej mobilności miejskiej w wybranych krajach UE z wykorzystaniem miary agregatowej

“…Hungary, on the other hand, is characterised by the highest average share of passenger transport by train and bus (about 30%, with an average of about 18%) and a relatively small share of passenger car transport in total ground passenger transport work (it is about 60%, in contrast to the average for the rest of the EU countries, where the share is between 80% and 90%). Such a favourable situation for Hungary (in terms of sustainable mobility) can also be explained by the historical context, which determines the lower rate of motorisation due to the country's worse economic situation (in contrast to other post-communist countries in Eastern Europe) and the important role of the public transport network (99.9% of the country's towns and cities are well connected by public transport) (Oszter, 2017). In 2019, the Hungarian government launched the 'Green Bus' programme, which aims to protect the climate and the environment by subsidising modern, sustainable and environmentally friendly public transportation.…”

Incorporation of Dry Ports into the National Transport Policy: A Proposal for International Trade Acceleration

“…The study assumes a sustainable economy, which is challenging for policymakers. Policymaking effort copying should be avoided to reduce the economic and social costs of transportation (Oszter, 2017). Emberger et al (2017) demonstrate how the transportation strategy has evolved, why passenger and freight transportation became the primary priorities of the planning process and transportation strategy (drawn up separately for roads and railway) in the framework of an integrated transport planning process.…”

Discourses and practices of the smart city in Central Eastern Europe: insights from Hungary’s ‘big’ cities

“…Car ownership is a status symbol (ibid. ), and investments in road infrastructure continue to be motivated by short-term, politically motivated decisions, which often results in privileging spectacular interventions (Oszter 2017). Although smart city building has brought concerns with environmentally sustainable transport to the foreground, policymakers tend to refrain from proposing measures implying a radical change in the mobility behaviour of people.…”