In order to implement the public transport Green Deal Riga and Pieriga (Riga’s Metropolis) transport system within the framework of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (AF), the Ministry of Transport has commissioned three studies to be carried out by companies –Ernst & Young Baltic, Ricardo Nederland B.V. and SIA “ARDENIS”.
In 2022, the Ministry of Transport implemented procurement of three researches needed to ensure the preparation of a sustainable integrated public transport plan which is a part of the sustainable urban mobility plan. As part of the research, it is planned to develop a technical specification for the purchase of the traction rolling stock, by conducting technical, legal and electric drive technology research, as well as to prepare the related documentation for the procurement of zero – emission trains. The study will also carry out a cost-benefit assessment of investments in railway infrastructure and rolling stock in order to ensure the preparation of proposals for a sustainable, integrated and coordinated multimodal public transport plan for the Riga metropolitan area.
The technical specification documentation for the procurement of zero - emission rail fleet is developed by the Dutch company Ricardo Nederland B.V., which conducts a technical and legal study on supply of zero-emission rail rolling stock. In order to ensure the transition to environmentally friendly rail traffic in the future, it is planned to introduce BEMU, EMU or other traction rolling stock that will, in time, fully replace the rolling stock of existing diesel trains and allow faster, more frequent and sustainable train movements to be organized.
The study on traction technologies will provide an assessment on alternatives of zero-emission technologies and related indicative investments in rolling stock and rail infrastructure. The study will provide analysis - based conclusions and recommendations for a long-term plan to end usage of diesel trains.
This report will form the basis for the technical requirements of rolling stock to be procured in the future and will provide guidance on the necessary improvements to the railway infrastructure. The study will provide an opportunity to introduce a complex reform of the route network by developing a single multimodal public transport route network with rail as the backbone of public transport.
The cost - benefit analysis of investments in railway infrastructure and rolling stock will be developed by Ernst & Young Baltic. The assessment is necessary for the development of an intermodal public transport network of Riga metropolitan area. That is an essential document which is necessary for the preparation of investment projects for the purchase of electric railway rolling stock – battery-powered units and the construction of railway infrastructure - tracks, switching lines and other infrastructure-related improvements. This assessment should generally lead to improvements in the supply of rail transport.
A study on a sustainable integrated public transport plan, forming a part of the sustainable urban mobility plan of Riga’s metropolitan area city, will be carried out by the “ARDENIS” Ltd. The company will develop proposals for a sustainable integrated public transport plan for Riga’s metropolitan area by 2040. The plan foresees the implementation of a multimodal public transport route network which will be coherent with public transport schedule, a unified price and discount policy, as well as a single ticket in an integrated public transport system in the Riga metropolitan area.
The study will look for a solution to ensure greater use of public transport for large passenger flows and reduced use of private road transport in Riga metropolitan area, providing for more opportunities to passengers such as planning routes and using different modes of transport, including cycling and other micromobility vehicles.
Projects for the implementation of traffic reform in Riga and Pieriga, which aims to reduce the negative impact of transport on the environmental quality of the capital and to develop integrated public transport services that meet the needs of the population will be financed under Recovery and Resilience Facility. The planned financing from the Recovery and Resilience Facility amounts to €295 million.
