📋 Tender Overview
The time spent on the road and convenience are the reason to choose public transport, this is shown by the ever-increasing number of train passengers, which continues to grow. Therefore, next year we will continue our work to create a data-based and financially efficient regional public transport network, strengthening the railway as the backbone of public transport. A significant contribution is expected from the investment program Station 2.0, which gives municipalities the opportunity to create public transport movement solutions around the railway suitable for the needs of their residents and for a specific settlement stations, while also improving and developing micromobility. The battery or BEMU electric train project is also a significant improvement in the long term, ensuring the mobility of the population in the non-electrified railway sections, emphasizes the Minister of Transport Atis Svinka. 159 million euros are planned for regional public transport in the MoU budget in 2026. Subsidies for regional public transport have been kept at this years level - 93.8 million euros, where subsidies for bus carriers are planned for 52 million euros. On the other hand, 64.2 million euros have been earmarked for ensuring the continuity of railway infrastructure operations and implementing infrastructure modernization projects next year. As before, in 2026 too, fare concessions will be provided for orphaned children, honorary families, etc. population groups, as determined by the regulatory framework, 25 million euros are earmarked for this purpose. Next year, the transformation of the regional public transport route network is planned, improving it using real-time data analysis and route change planning, introducing a unified ticketing system. Also, new principles for the creation of commercial routes will be developed, and with the investment of 36 million euros from the European Social Fund, the introduction of on-demand road transport services will be launched in order to promote the mobility of citizens in sparsely populated areas of the country. The Ministry will continue work to improve the conditions for providing commercial transportation by taxi and passenger car in relation to the operation of websites, strengthening the social protection mechanism for employees. With the investment of 104.6 million euros from EU funds, the battery-accumulator or BEMU train project will be implemented, which will ensure train traffic on non-electrified railway sections until 2029. BEMU electric trains are primarily intended to be used to ensure traffic between Riga and more distant regions of the country - tentatively on two routes Riga-Cesis and Riga-Daugavpils, thus improving regional mobility and connectivity with Riga. On the other hand, under the leadership of the Mobility Equality and Accessibility Consultative Council, the work of the departments companies and institutions will continue to implement projects to ensure accessibility in public transport. Next year, further progress is expected for the investment program for local governments, Station 2.0 (public transport connection points), and more than EUR 60 million of EU fund financing is available for local governments to implement projects. In the first round of selection, financing in the amount of 10.8 million euros has been allocated to nine projects - eight in Riga and one in Cesis. In general, municipalities have 88 million available for the implementation of the Station 2.0 concept. euro, incl. 75 million euros of funding from EU funds. With the financing of the Recovery Fund, next year it is planned to complete the greening reform of public transport in Riga and Pieriga, which includes the purchase of electric buses and the creation of charging stations, the creation of eight mobility points, the construction of the extension of the 7th tram line, as well as the creation of bicycle infrastructure with a total length of 52 km and the completion of the construction works of the southern part of Riga Central Station. It is also planned to start the creation of a unified multimodal public transport route network in the Riga metropolitan area with unified route planning, financing and order principles, an agreed timetable, unified tariff and discount policy, as well as a unified ticket. Next year, it is planned to continue the pilot project - the single ticket for journeys on the city and regional railway routes of the city of Riga within zone A with a transfer to another bus or train and public transport of the company Rigas satiksme. The goal is to motivate residents to switch from private car transport to integrated public transport. Next years MoU budget - the total planned funding for the development of the transport and communications industry will be 805.4 million. euro, incl. Investments of EU funds amount to EUR 311 million. The Ministry will continue the started works and reforms in order to implement the priorities - moving towards the green course, ensuring the mobility, safety and accessibility of citizens, as well as strengthening the competitiveness of the industry and promoting exports.
