Thematic Active2Public Rail Vehicles Unveiled in Kőszeg, Hungary

Under the Interreg Active2Public Transport (A2PT) project, the Hungarian railway company Győr-Sopron-Ebenfurt Railway (GYSEV) hosted an inspiring A2PT Action Day in the picturesque town of Kőszeg, Western Hungary. The event highlighted how rail transport and hiking can go hand in hand to promote active, sustainable travel across the Danube region.

At Kőszeg railway station, visitors witnessed the unveiling of two striking rail vehicles — a modern Taurus electric locomotive and a Jenbacher rail motor coach — both dressed in brand-new thematic liveries designed especially for the A2PT project.

The A2PT project encourages travelers to combine public transport with active mobility, such as hiking, to reduce emissions while exploring nature. GYSEV’s pilot action focuses on improving access to hiking trails by rail and showing how easy it is to start a hiking trip right from a train station.

To make the event even more memorable, GYSEV offered free travel for hikers on a special InterCity coach from Budapest to Szombathely, continuing on the premiere ride of the thematic Jenbacher railcar to Kőszeg. Passengers were invited to complete an onboard survey to help evaluate the impact and reach of the pilot action.

The vehicles’ design carries a clear message:

Get on the train – start hiking.

Wrapped in eye-catching graphics inspired by the famous Hungarian Blue Trail (Kéktúra), the trains feature the trail’s iconic stamps and scenic views of the country’s landscapes. The Blue Trail is one of Europe’s oldest long-distance hiking routes, stretching across Hungary in three major sections — two of which begin near Kőszeg, the very place where the Action Day was held.

The A2PT Taurus locomotive will be hard to miss — it hauls InterCity trains between Budapest and Western Hungary, appearing daily at the country’s busiest stations. Certified for use in Austria and Germany, it also serves international routes, spreading the project’s message beyond Hungary’s borders.

Meanwhile, the Jenbacher motor coach operates on the scenic Szombathely–Kőszeg line, close to the starting point of both the National Blue Trail and the Pál Rockenbauer South Transdanubian Blue Trail, near Irótt-kő on the Hungarian–Austrian border.

Beyond the striking trains, GYSEV implemented several tangible improvements under the pilot action:

• Information boards at Kőszeg, Egyházasrádóc, and Ölbő-Alsószeleste railway stations — showcasing the close link between the Blue Trail and railway travel.

• New Blue Trail stamping boxes installed at Egyházasrádóc and Ölbő-Alsószeleste stations for hikers to mark their progress.

• Bilingual (Hungarian–German) leaflets distributed at stations and onboard trains, featuring QR codes leading to detailed online information in Hungarian, German, and English.

The initiative was made possible with the support of the Hungarian Hiker Association (MTSZ) — strategic partner and official operator of the Blue Trail — and the Hungarian Institute of Transport Science (KTI), which provided expert input.

The Action Day attracted local politicians, GYSEV representatives, project partners, hikers, and media, all eager to celebrate the intersection of tourism, transport, and sustainability.

Text: Gerhard Troche (GYSEV), with editorial revisions
Photos: © Gerhard Troche