The switch to daylight saving time caused a technical glitch on Sunday morning in the systems of Hungary’s state-owned railway company, MÁV, which erroneously displayed delays of approximately 60 minutes for trains that were, in reality, running on time or with only minor delays.
According to the Hungarian press, the issue was particularly noticeable on the Vonatinfó platform, where the delay map suggested a near-total collapse of rail traffic in Hungary.
In reality, the system had not “noticed” the switch to daylight saving time, and the displayed delays were largely just virtual. The incident quickly became one of the most talked-about examples of a digital error with real-world effects on the relationship between the operator and passengers.
The system also automatically triggered compensation
The error had an unexpected effect for some passengers: the MÁV system began automatically granting compensation for delays to travelers whose trains had not actually been delayed by more than 20 minutes.
In Hungary, passengers are entitled to a partial refund of their ticket in the event of significant delays. Due to the computer error, the system interpreted the situation as if numerous trains had delays eligible for compensation and automatically generated payments.
MÁV: Money paid in error does not need to be returned
Subsequently, MÁV officially confirmed that the issue was caused by a computer error that occurred during the time change and stated that it was resolved during the morning.
The company also announced that passengers who received compensation in error will not be required to return the money. According to MÁV and the Ministry of Construction and Transport, these amounts will be treated as a gesture of goodwill and a form of apology for the inconvenience caused.
The operator noted that the number of affected trains and passengers was relatively low, due to lighter traffic on Sunday morning.
Some passengers who were genuinely delayed did not automatically receive compensation
MÁV noted, however, that in some cases the situation was reversed: particularly on the line along the southern shore of Lake Balaton, where a malfunction in the signaling system caused actual disruptions, some passengers who experienced delays of over 20 minutes did not automatically receive compensation due to the same IT error.
The company announced that these passengers would be reimbursed half the ticket price no later than the following day.
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