The Budapest Metropolitan Government Office announced on Thursday that recent technical inspections of BKV buses revealed alarming and hazardous deficiencies. The checks were ordered after several buses caught fire in recent days, raising concerns about passenger safety.

Government inspectors carried out investigations at four BKV depots responsible for the maintenance and certification of the city’s buses. Their findings were troubling: 22 per cent of the inspected buses were immediately removed from service due to safety risks, another 28 per cent were ordered to undergo repairs within 30 days, and 28 per cent required immediate fixes. Only 22 per cent of the vehicles were found to be in technically adequate condition.

The most common problems included oil leaks that could cause fires, inadequate braking performance, and worn tires and suspension parts. Inspectors also noted irregularities inside passenger areas, such as poorly secured seats and faulty handrails, along with missing or expired mandatory safety equipment like wheel chocks and fire extinguishers.

The government office, acting as the regional transport authority, pledged to continue monitoring the technical state of Budapest’s buses and to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of public transport passengers in the capital.

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