TRANSPORT PLANNING AND OPERATION IN A CHANGING ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT - THE CASE OF HUNGARY

Hungary is in a period of major political and economic transition. This paper presents a review of the implications of these changes for the transport sector for the country as a whole and for the capital Budapest in particular. After the development of transport in Hungary and Budapest has been described, the factors influencing policy formulation are considered. The analysis is carried out in terms of the growth of the private sector in transport, levels of investment, the implications for the transport user, and the performance of the transport system. It is shown that while the transport systems are basically of a high standard, they have been allowed to deteriorate in quality because of lack of investment. There is a general desire to move to a market economy for two reasons: first, because it is perceived that this will increase efficiency, and second because the Hungarian Government is short of funds. The paper is concluded with some discussion on the future of transport and an assessment of the degree to which transport objectives have been met.