Challenge Nr. 1 - public transport

Public transport in Budapest is relatively well organized. Not as well as in London :-))) but it is acceptable. The technical condition of trains, trams, buses, trolleys, is a bit worse. Same with the cleanliness and frequency. So the result is: Crowded and smelly transport. Which means more comfortable and clean cars in the streets.

:-) with any complaints please turn to BKV :-)

http://www.bkv.hu/home/index.php

In June 2005 my company car was not ready to a daily use, lot of problems needed to be fixed (hmmm again a cost cut item - unfortunately I could not get a new car). I needed to use the local public transport a lot. Teoretically it wouldn´t be a problem. But the reconstruction of the Metro Line Nr. 2 crossed my plans :-) - just fyi I sticked here few links about details.....

http://www.bkv.hu/2metro/index.html

http://www.bkv.hu/2metro/metro_felujitas_2005_eng.html

http://www.bkv.hu/kozlemenyek/105.html

That time I lived very close to Blaha Lujza tér and I needed to take a metro exactly there, and day by day I could really monitor the progress of reconstruction. It was really disappointing.

I understood the new meaning of words "extremely + slowly".

Same "extremely + slowly", furthermore a new "unwillingly" when you are buying your travel pass. Additional "unwillingly" if you need an "AFA szamla" :-), another special thing in Hungary.

Since October 2005 I did not use any public transport in BP. I joined those thousands of drivers who are suffering from permanent traffic jams, but they keep their health, good feeling, open mind and mood. And I walk a lot if the distance is acceptable.

One of my friends once stated: "Your car is like a living room. And it is full of your feng-shui. Nice to travel with you."

Thanks for the compliment. He stroke my ego a bit. I spend a lot of time by travelling, the most crucial was the BP traffic. Now I can say - my car is like my second temporary home :-) . Almost 50 000 kms yearly. I deserve a four-wheel-living-room :-)