Budapest public transport operator BKV’s annual fire season is getting off to an even earlier start than usual this year as fires breaking out on the BKV’s Soviet-made metro trains become increasingly frequent. The latest accident happened at the end of last month when a short circuit caused a fire in an electric engine when the train was at the Déli Train Station. Attila Gulyás, head of the metro workers’ trade union, observed that while the 40-year-old trains are in very bad shape, he doesn’t believe that they risk the lives of passengers. Gulyás added that they usually only smoke and don’t catch on fire, in other words meaning passengers will only die from smoke inhalation as opposed to being roasted alive. Well, that’s a relief. [blikk.hu]
They don’t look that flammable- they’re made out of tin. Network South East ran 40 year-old trains made out of WOOD, they hardly ever caught fire. This sounds like they’re not getting the maintainance 40-year old trains probably need.