HÉV

Infobox Public transit
box_width =
name = HÉV

---

imagesize = 120px

---

imagesize2 = 250px
locale = Budapest metropolitan area, Hungary
transit_type = Commuter rail
lines = 4
stations = 81
ridership =
began_operation =
ended_operation =
owner =
operator = BKV
marks =
vehicles =
system_length =
track_gauge = RailGauge|sg
average_speed =
top_speed =


map_state = collapsed

HÉV (originally "Helyiérdekű Vasút", lit. "Railway of Local Interest") is a system of four commuter rail lines in and around Budapest, Hungary. The HÉV lines were constructed as branch lines of the Hungarian State Railways. The four HÉV lines are operated by the public transport company BKV, yet are not part of the Budapest Metro. Inside Budapest, standard BKV tickets and passes are valid on the HÉV. Outside Budapest, a separate ticket must be validated.

The HÉV connects Csepel (south), Ráckeve (far south), Gödöllő (northeast), and Szentendre (north) with various points of central Budapest. The four HÉV lines are not connected directly, each originating from a different terminus, but their railway are still connected to the MÁV lines. The HÉV is a hybrid between a commuter rail and a rapid transit. Although most of its stations are above ground and outdoor, some are underground (for example the city centre terminus at Batthyány tér).

The HÉV operates on standard gauge (1435 mm), and is electrified at 1000 V DC. The HÉV lines are planned to become integrated into the metro network. The Szentendre, Ráckeve and Csepel lines are slated to be merged into what is called the metro line 5 (North-South Regional rapid railway). The connection will be made by an underground line between the Kaszásdűlő and Lágymányosi bridge stations, and extended in order to reach the center of Pesterzsébet. The Urban and Suburban Transit Association ("Városi és Elővárosi Közlekedési Egyesület") has presented a plan to merge line 2 with the HÉV from Gödöllő. The city government did not totally accept the plan, but it still may be built after 2015.

ee also

* List of HÉV stations

External links

* [http://www.bkv.hu/english/hev/index.html Schedule at BKV site]
* [http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/bud/budapest.htm UrbanRail.Net map]
* [http://www.michaeltaylor.ca/Ind/bud-hev.shtml Budapest HÉV railway photos]
* [http://www.railfaneurope.net/misc/bhev.html Commuter service around Budapest: The BHEV]
* [http://metros.hu/terkep/hevterkep.html Map of HÉV lines]
* [http://metros.hu/terkep/hevterkep_r.html Map of old HÉV lines]