Truck drivers block Hungária körút over Budapest road fees

Truck drivers are currently protesting against new regulations restricting truck traffic to certain roads in Budapest and higher fees for trucks entering downtown from March 1. On Monday, 100 trucks protested on Ötvenhatosok tere, while a recently formed truck drivers' interest group was engaged in negotiations with the city. The meetings were unsuccessful, and the demonstration continues, reports Magyar Nemzet.

Some 1,500 trucks will slow traffic on Hungária körút, announced László Kinka, manager of the interest protection association. Their aim is to show decision-makers what it is like to be able to use only one free road. According to the protesters, the problem of the environmental damage caused by the traffic cannot be solved by a tenfold increase in fees for trucks entering Budapest and other restrictions. They also want a suspension of new regulations until May 1, hoping that they can successfully negotiate with the city in the meantime.

Kinka told fn.hu that drivers today had "better forget Hungária körút," and that the best solution for them was not to attempt to drive in Budapest at all, as traffic on Hungária körút influences the whole city.

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