The City of Budapest has launched an EU financed direct project to prepare the development of municipal and suburban boat services, announced the Mayor and added that the support for this program is a high priority for the government as well.
According to the city development concept of Budapest, the key element within the complex development of the Danube river area is the improvement of shipping, which could play an important role in serving the games, "if by any chance there will be Olympics in Budapest". The City of Budapest would purchase electric-powered boats instead of the current obsolete vehicles, and would integrate into the public transport system, and with that provide help for commuters. As part of the investment ports P+R parking lots would be built as well.
István Tarlós has explained that the boat service network would take over the place of sightseeing ships as well, and could help the suburban transport between Százhalombatta és Nagymaros. The diesel-electric hybrid boats, with a 40 km/h cruising speed, would arrive every 5-20 minutes. The project lead time is two and a half years, its overall costs reaches HUF 1 billion, out of which even 85% may be financed from EU subsidy.
