Historic Ikarus Bus Donated to Transport Museum
The Hungarian Museum of Science, Technology and Transport has recently added a significant piece to its collection, an Ikarus 30 bus, one of the oldest Ikarus buses in the world. The unveiling took place at a press conference held in Budapest.
Domonkos Schneller, the Director General of the museum, expressed the importance of this moment, stating that it marked the addition of one of the first-ever Ikarus buses to the institution’s collection. He highlighted the rarity of the bus, mentioning that out of the 3,175 Ikarus 30s built, only four have survived in Hungary, with two currently in service. The bus presented at the conference is one of them, while the other is owned by the bus service company, Volánbusz.
Schneller emphasized the museum’s commitment to preserving the technical and transport heritage of Hungary, citing the need to include all significant models from Hungarian factories in their collection. He noted the absence of the Ikarus 180 bus from their fleet, despite over 200 of them being in service in Budapest.
The process of adding the Ikarus 30 bus to the collection has gained momentum in the last decade, with the museum now boasting twenty buses in its fleet. While most of these buses are in displayable condition and some are roadworthy, Schneller highlighted the ongoing renovation work required, with significant funds still needed for this purpose.
It was noted that Hungarian vehicle and engineering companies have shown reluctance to participate in the preservation of Hungary’s technical and cultural heritage, unlike their European counterparts who establish and maintain museums and contribute to restoration efforts. Schneller acknowledged the support received from domestically owned construction companies in advancing the museum’s work.
The newly acquired Ikarus 30 bus has a history of service with state-owned construction companies and was purchased by the museum last year. Currently undergoing a major restoration process, the bus hails from Szokolya near Budapest and is already capable of traveling short distances.
In conclusion, the Hungarian Museum of Science, Technology and Transport continues its efforts to safeguard Hungary’s rich vehicle production and transport history, with the addition of the Ikarus 30 bus marking another milestone in their collection.
