THE TESTING OF THE NEW METROPOLIS VEHICLES CONTINUES ON LINE M4

The testing of the prototype of the new four-car metro vehicle, which had arrived in Budapest at the end of November, has been completed on Line M2. Preparations for the imminently starting endurance test on Line M4 between stations Kelenföldi pályaudvar and Móricz Zsigmond körtér will continue; the first train of Line M4 will thus begin its runs on its own track.

As already communicated, the manufacturer of the trains, ALSTOM, has officially presented the prototype train to the Hungarian authorities at Valenciennes after having completed the tests due there, then transported the vehicle to Budapest, and commenced tests on Line M2. In the meanwhile, the section of Line M4 now completed, was also tested: first a Soviet train and then an M2 ALSTOM train made runs along the section.

Following the test runs on Line M2, the manufacturer will transport the vehicle from the BKV Depot at Fehér út to the M4 Depot at Kelenföld in the coming days, and, upon obtaining the permit from the Authority, it will continue testing it in preparation for the coming endurance test. The preparations are made on the section of Line M4 between Kelenföldi pályaudvar and Móricz Zsigmond körtér, which underwent successful testing at the end of November.

Experts have to examine several things: they will conduct tests for short circuits, coupling breaks, decoupling, controlling fast voltage leaps, noise, and detection of obstruction and derailment. Travel comfort will also have to be tested before, expectedly at the beginning of January, the actual endurance test can commence in order that ALSTOM obtain the final type licence for the vehicle by the February 2013 deadline it undertook.

Under the contract concluded between BKV and ALSTOM in 2006, the manufacturer is to deliver 15 sets of trains each made up of four cars and capable also of automatic operation mode in the ensuing period. The preparations underway and the endurance test soon to begin are conducted to make sure that the Test in Traffic Operation scheduled to the first half of 2014, the final deadline, can be kept.

Budapest Municipality
Budapest Transport Centre (BKK)
DBR Metro Project Directorate
ALSTOM Transport