One of the main tasks of the national transport organizer that will be established next year will be to put passenger information and traffic processes on a new basis - State Secretary for Transport Dávid Vitézy announced in his Facebook post yesterday, because according to him, MÁV's passenger information was not adequate in connection with the overhead line break in Lake Velence.
The following was included in the Secretary of State's post on Saturday:
Last night, stormy winds knocked a tree onto the tracks, which snapped the overhead line at Lake Venice. It is unfortunate that this happens, but it cannot be completely avoided either.
If one of the country's busiest main railway lines has to be closed for hours, it will never be painless, there will always be uncertainty, waiting, and annoyance. But in such a large system, we must immediately be able to organize passenger information, bus replacement and at least train traffic on those sections where there is no disruption.
Unfortunately, none of them succeeded yesterday. I would also like to apologize to everyone who was affected by the consequences of yesterday's disruption and the disruption that continued into today due to the restoration.
This is not the first such case in the life of MÁV, of course I am aware of this. With Zoltán Pafféri, the new president and CEO of MÁV Based on the Government's decision, from 2023 the Ministry of Technology and Industry will establish the national transport organizer, one of whose main tasks will be to put passenger information and traffic processes on a new basis nationwide.
We see it, and yesterday unfortunately also proved it: the MÁV's operating processes must be fundamentally rebuilt in case of such major disruptions affecting the main lines. Of course, individual human errors also occur, but the problem is so systemic that the causes do not need to be looked for here. The entire process control, responsibilities, and operational logic must be redesigned and adapted to the technological possibilities and passenger expectations of the 21st century. Many steps have been taken in recent years (for example, the creation of the MÁVINFORM Facebook page), but it is far from sufficient.
As a result of the investments and developments of the past decade and the new motor trains, the number of passengers has finally started to increase in the suburbs of Budapest, towards Lake Balaton and on several main lines, and although we still have a lot to do, it is clear that there is a demand for high-quality rail transport. However, we know very well that some of these experiences, like the one last night, can easily spoil the mood of passengers for a long time.
The goal is therefore clear: if a tree falls or something else stops rail traffic, the necessary measures must be taken immediately:
Get out of the current situation via push messages in applications, SMS or e-mail to those who have changed tickets for this line, so that those traveling on the train and those waiting at the stations receive immediate and continuous information.
At least at the main junctions, there should be support staff within an hour who can provide information, are competent and have information.
The organization of the bus replacement should start immediately, including the bus fleets of the surrounding big cities, there should be a protocol for this.
Where it is possible to travel by train, let's maintain rail traffic, let entire parts of the country not be paralyzed because the trains are stuck elsewhere waiting for the obstacle to be removed.
Have the IT background and information with which the conductor, the station staff and all other actors who meet passengers know what to expect and what the traffic situation is.
Let's train railway and bus colleagues to deal with such situations.
Unfortunately, this will not be the work of a day or two, or even a month or two - but we see the problem and have started work together with colleagues from MÁV, Volánbusz and the national transport organizer. We need to change and we will change the current practice.
