Budapest assembly sacks public transport chief

Budapest's city assembly has dismissed Botond Aba from his post as the president of the Budapest Transport Company (BKV), following months of negative publicity over perceived shortcomings in the management of the capital's public transport network. He is to be replaced by Attila Antal as of next month.

Budapest mayor Gábor Demszky had been openly talking about removing Aba for some time, saying he believed Aba was responsible for the poor performance of the city's new Combino trams. On Wednesday, the majority of the assembly voted to discharge Aba, including representative of opposition parties.

"I hope some day someone will write the truth about the Combino affair," Aba said before the assembly's meeting. He added that the evaluation of his work is not his responsibility, and said he respected Demszky's authority, as he was voted mayor by the people.

Antal has been the president of taxi company Főtaxi and regional bus operator Nógrád Volán, and is expected to the BKV until 2011. Demszky said he wants the new president to make the city's metro, buses and trams faster and more comfortable. Antal has been charged with developing an agenda within the coming 100 days, which, according to Demszky, should include a "fairer" tariff system.

Although Aba has lost the top post at the BKV, he will likely stay at the company in another position.

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