BKV (Budapesti Közlekedési Zrt.; Budapest Transport Plc. – the abbreviation BKV stands for its earlier and presently also used name Budapesti Közlekedési Vállalat; Budapest Transport Company) is the unified public transport company of Budapest, established in 1968. The BKV operates 3 metro, 5 HÉV, 32 tram, 15 trolley bus, 207 bus and 28 night bus lines.

The city-owned BKV runs an extensive network of surface mass transportation, with the emphasis on buses. The dark blue liveried bus fleet includes 1200 vehicles (1000 Ikarus buses) on 207 routes and the trolleybuses in red livery are operated on 15 lines. The night service is provided exclusively by buses. The articulated bus is a hallmark of Budapest; both diesel and ETB bendy vehicles have been running since the late 1950s and still form the majority of BKV's fleet.

In recent years, the bus service has been increasingly plagued by traffic jams as car use has increased and the narrow, congested streets of Budapest rarely allow for separate bus-lanes. Many motorists ignore bus-lane markings anyway, while few traffic lights fast-gate buses. The lamentable road conditions in Budapest incur continually high vehicle maintenance costs and inconvenience for bus passengers. Working conditions (esp. the age of the vehicles) and competitive wages are a serious issue as bus drivers are often lured to the trucking industry. Yet, the city council traditionally favours a bus service, owing to its flexibility and lower initial costs; some 150 brand new articulated buses were procured in 2004-2006.