In Latvia, as elsewhere in Europe, railway is being developed as the backbone of public transport and significant improvements in rail traffic will be made available to citizens already next year. The projects implemented with the co-financing from the EU funds in the amount of EUR 244.69 million will make it easier for people to travel by train.
"Latvia is bound by the EU's common climate objectives and the biggest challenge in the transport sector is the reduction of GHG emissions. Therefore, it is essential to strengthen the railway as the backbone of public transport, so that for daily trips citizens are increasingly choosing to travel by train instead of private cars. Convenience is the main argument for us to change our mobility habits in favour of more environmentally friendly transport. EU investment does not address all our needs, while making a significant contribution to the development of convenient, environmentally friendly and secure rail traffic for citizens, emphasizes Ligita Austrupe, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport (MOU).
The EU funds co-finance 23 new and modern electric trains that will run from Riga to Jelgava, Tukums, Skulte and Aizkraukle. Electric trains will be comfortable for boarding and getting off as they will have wider doors and one-level boarding from elevated platforms that will make it easier for people with limited mobility, passengers with baby carriages, bikes and heavier baggage.
For passenger convenience, the new electric trains will be equipped with air conditioning, ergonomic seats, video and audio information systems and modern sanitary units. A powerful WiFi connection will allow passengers not only to do useful things or spend their time on entertainment but also to buy an e-ticket or present it to the controller for checking. There will be special facilities for prams and bicycles provided as well. Noise levels in the railway carriages will be lower, because the trains will be running more smoothly compared to those currently in use.
“The trains procured with the co-financing from the European Union and the upgraded railway infrastructure will give the impetus to the citizens to switch from their cars to a greener and more sustainable means of transport – the train, because the rail passengers in Latvia will now have the same amenities as the passengers in many European countries. Experience from other Member States of the European Union has shown that more convenient trains and improved infrastructure encourage citizens to change their habits and the number of passengers increases by more than 20%. This is an investment that improves the comfort of citizens while helps to reduce harmful emissions,” – says Zane Petre, Head of the European Commission Representation in Latvia.
The height of station platforms which make them accessible to all groups of passengers is an essential prerequisite for comfortable travelling by train. Within the framework of the railway passenger infrastructure modernisation project by the end of the next year, 48 railway passenger stations and stopping points located on the railway lines Riga - Jelgava, Riga - Tukums, Riga - Krustpils and Riga - Skulte will have elevated platforms with ramps. For passenger amenities, canopies with benches and garbage boxes will be installed on the platforms. Information signs and stands will be placed to improve the availability of information (audio and visual) on train timetables. The stations will be equipped with passenger information systems, video cameras and LED lights. The stations will provide for installation of ticket vending and other self-service equipment. Development of infrastructure will be carried out providing for construction of pedestrian/cycle routes, cycle stands and safety barriers. There will be traffic lights with audible signals installed in some stations for safety of pedestrians.
Along the railway lines Riga – Bolderaja, Riga – Skulte and Riga – Cesis four brand-new railway stops, namely, “Alfa”, “Bolderaja – Silikatu”, “Bolderaja – Slokas” and “Dauderi” will be built for passenger convenience.
For safety purposes the tracks are being rebuilt and a modernised alarm system as well as two-track double-level shootings for pedestrians are constructed in Riga railway hub section Sarkandaugava – Mangali – Ziemelblazma.
In order to avoid the risk of accidents the existing level crossings will be modernised and new ones will be built, security fences along the tracks will be set up and two-level pedestrian crossings will be constructed in the railway stations Zasulauks - Lacupe, Ciekurkalns - Jugla, Brasa - Sarkandaugava - Mangali - Ziemelblazma, Tornakalns - Tiraine, Skirotavas stacija,.
Speed is one of the benefits of travelling by train. By the end of next year, the train speed is planned to be increased to 140 km/h in two lines: Riga - Aizkraukle and Riga - Jelgava, providing for shorter time spent on journeys. It is expected that the passenger trains will operate at speed up to 140-160 km/h in the following years. To increase safety the most dangerous places in track sections and stations will be enclosed with safety fences.
On November 13, 2014, the European Commission approved the “Growth and Employment” operational programme of the EU funds for the programming period 2014-2020 within the framework of which funding of €4.4 billion is available to Latvia. Funding of €1.236 billion or 28% of available EU support is available for the specific objectives under supervision of the Ministry of Transport.
The project for the purchase of electric trains is carried out by JSC “Pasazieru vilciens” with co-financing of the EU Cohesion Fund of EUR 114.21 million, while the projects for upgrading and building the railway infrastructure are implemented by SJSC “Latvijas dzelzceļš”, with the co-financing of the EU Cohesion Fund of EUR 130.48 million.
More information on EU funds and support areas for 2014-2020 programming period on the Ministry of Transport homepage: https://www.sam.gov.lv/lv/2014-2020-planosanas-period-0
Ministry of Transport
Communication department
email: komunikacijas@sam.gov.lv
