Hungary - Tram services over obscure routes
Introduction
Some tram systems advertise their depot workings and enable one to ascertain the regular use by passenger-carrying services of junctions or sections of line that do not otherwise see public service. This occasional series lists such services that have come to notice. While the data for each system is current at the date stated, it is not the intention to endeavour to keep every entry up to date at every service change - the listing serves as a guide for travellers as to the sort of services they can look out for, enabling them to check current published timetable material at their time of travel.
To assist in tracing services, the route and/or timetable number for each journey is shown in parentheses, e.g. (1). Days of operation are in English notation (respectively: Su, M, T, W, Th, F, S) - plus "O" for only, "X" for excepted. Su (Sundays) usually includes public holidays in mainland Europe - but check locally.
Listings for other systems throughout the world - in the same format as shown below (please include date of timetable validity) - will always be welcomed.
Budapest
Tram timetables here, a combined tram, Metro and Suburban rail map dated 31 May 2024 here. There are undoubtedly many more on such a large tram network but research has not been completed.
Mester utca / Könyves Kálmán körút East to North
As at February 2019 infrequent journeys on route 51A
Nagysándor József utca north to east
As at April 2025 this connection between two large street loops is covered by route 51 and only available between approximately 05:20 - 08:20 and 14:40 - 18:40 SSuX
Új köztemető (Kozma utca) to Izraelita temető
As at April 2025 the service between the last two stops of a branch are only served from approximately 08:30 [09:00 SO] - 16:10 on Mondays to Fridays and Sundays, i.e. no Saturday service.
Debrecen
There are no passenger carrying unusual curves and the Depot is located at the end of a non-passenger branch west of the MAV station.
Miskolc
Timetables here and the two route map here
Vasgyár street loop
From 1 May 2025 served by route 2 running between approximately 05:20 and 18:50 on School days only. Therefore no service Saturday and Sunday.
Szeged
Timetables are here and a route map including buses as at 1 October 2024 here.
Route 3F
The section from Vadaspark to Fonógyári út has no service before 06:40 [08:15 SSuO] or after 17:20. The reversing triangles at Vadaspark and Fonógyári út are not done in passenger service.
Rókus vasútállomás loop
This is the historic terminus of route 1 which no longer sees regular use as the service is now the tram/trains to Hódmezövásárhely. Any tram terminating at this loop is now shown in the timetable PDF as route 1A, and as at December 2024 there are departures from Szeged MAV station at 08:35, 17:30 SSuX & 23:45 Daily. Note the track layout here means all inbound to Depot trams must run via this loop, but as stated below, most if not all such journeys are out of service.
Anna-kút north to west and south to west
A June 2024 traveller advises although stop departure screens showed mid-evening Depot journeys as route X3 or X4 to Pulz utca, they are not shown on the printed stop timetable as they run non-stop so are officially not in passenger service. X journeys at the end of service are listed, but it is not known if these call at all stops so are in regular service so reports would be appreciated by the Compilers.
Vásárhelyi Pál útca north to south
A June 2024 traveller advises departure screens showed route X2 mid-evening Depot journeys from Európa Liget to Pulz utca, but again they ran non-stop [and he was asked to leave the tram one stop before Pulz utca at Vásárhelyi Pál útca south], so it would appear these these journeys are officially not in passenger service.
