Queues at Budapest Train Station Reach Epic Proportions

It seems that despite Budapest's place as one of the top destinations in Europe, some services are still unable to cope with efficiently handling basic tourist requirements.

A recent expose aired on Hungarian television station RTL Klub, claims that queues in the international sector of the Budapest rail station are forcing tourists to wait up to three hours to be served. Many have no choice but to sit or lay on the floor while waiting to purchase their tickets.

The main issues with the inefficient service have to do with the severely outdated administrative methods that seem to plague many countries in Eastern Europe. While a computerized ticketing system is apparently in the works, representatives from the state railway MAV are unable to confirm a time frame of any kind. In the meantime, all information is searched for in books and tickets are written by hand. MAV representatives have also said that even the hiring of more employees is currently impossible.

However, MAV has said it will introduce one improvement near the ticket office for travelers forced to wait for their turn - the installation of wooden planks on the floor.

Comments

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Rosemary Imregi
United States

The article was very interesting,but what I'm looking for, is research for the novel I'm writing about the 1956 Uprising. Specifically, what train station did the refugees take to get to Austria? What were the condition of the train stations then? Thank-you for any help you can give me.

Reply Feb 24th, 2012