Hungary-Serbia Railway Hungary Section Launches Freight Service
Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-02-28 Origin: Site
A Landmark Belt and Road Project in Central and Eastern Europe
On February 27, 2026, local time (7:00 Beijing time), a fully loaded freight train departed from Ferencv¨¢ros Station in Budapest, Hungary. This historic moment officially marks the start of freight operations on the Hungary-Serbia Railway Hungary section, a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Major Breakthrough in Transport Efficiency
Before the full completion of the Hungary-Serbia Railway, travel between Budapest and Belgrade took nearly 8 hours.
Once fully operational, travel time will be drastically reduced to approximately 3.5 hours.
As a key north-south transport artery, the railway strongly connects Central and Eastern Europe, improves cross-border mobility of people and goods, upgrades travel conditions for local residents, and drives regional economic and social development.
China-Hungary Cooperation: Flagship Belt and Road Project
The Hungary section was jointly constructed by subsidiaries of China Railway Group Limited and local Hungarian companies.It serves as:
A landmark project of China-Hungary Belt and Road cooperation
A flagship initiative for China-CEE cooperation
The first successful integration of China¡¯s railway technology and equipment with the EU¡¯s TSI (Technical Specification for Interoperability)
This achievement provides valuable experience for Chinese railway standards to go global and participate in international rule-making.
Advanced Design & Technical Specifications
The Hungary-Serbia Railway links Budapest (Hungary) and Belgrade (Serbia).
Length of Hungary section: 158.6 km
Type: dual-track electrified railway
Operation mode: passenger-freight dual use
Design speed: up to 160 km/h
Construction started: 2022
The scientific design supports both efficient passenger transport and stable freight logistics, laying a solid foundation for cross-border trade in the region.
Strategic Value of Freight Launch
The launch of freight services on the Hungary-Serbia Railway Hungary section is another major achievement of China-Hungary cooperation.
It creates new opportunities for logistics and trade in Central and Eastern Europe, enhances regional connectivity, and promotes deeper and higher-level international cooperation.
