The Directorate of Road Transport recommends closing 43 regional bus routes / Day

by times news cr

ATD representatives explained to the LETA agency that currently an assessment of unprofitable flights up to 10% has been compiled, however, a specific decision on the closure of the relevant flights​ will still have‌ to ⁢be assessed.

At ⁢the meeting, ATD informed that a total of 888 flights were evaluated​ according to several⁤ criteria, including the average number of‌ passengers, coverage of state⁣ grants over expenses, the possibility to determine flight performance on request and other criteria.

Among them, ⁢ATD⁢ advised the Public Transport Council⁢ to close 43 flights – 21 ⁣flights – in the Latgale planning ⁢region, 16 flights – in⁢ the Vidzeme planning region,‌ three ⁢- in the Zemgale⁢ planning region, two flights – in the Kurzeme planning region, one ⁤flight⁤ in the Riga planning region. On ‌the other hand, for 39‍ flights, ATD recommended reducing the execution days.

At the same time, ‍611 ⁤trips are planned‍ to be kept without ‍changes, 45 trips are‌ planned to be kept until additional ‌information is obtained, in 23 trips – it‍ is recommended to ⁤use ‌M1 vehicles, and ‍in 15 trips – transport on demand and other options can potentially be introduced.

On the ‍other hand, the president of the⁢ Latvian ⁣Passenger ⁢Carriers Association, Ivo Ošineks, pointed out ⁤that regional bus routes and routes should ⁢be reviewed, however, he‌ called on ‍the council not to look at ‍this issue so‌ narrowly,⁤ but to focus on how to transfer residents from private transport to public transport. “If flights are closed‌ now, and then we want to restore these flights,⁤ it will be even‍ more ⁤expensive. We have to look in a wider context, ​not how ⁣to ⁣transfer people from buses to trains,” ⁢he added.

Novikova added that it is rather‌ a matter of connection, how to create a⁢ network of ‌routes, both by interconnecting bus routes ⁢and multimodally connecting several ⁤modes of ⁢transport, in ⁤order to have an efficient route‍ network. “It will be a challenge, of course,” added Novikova.

ATD representatives also informed at the meeting that it is possible to close 24 railway station waiting rooms and five ticket offices. AS “Pasažieru vilciens” (PV) has submitted a proposal to close seven ticket sales offices. ‌However, ATD mentioned that the ‌ticket⁤ offices at “Rēzekne​ 2″⁣ station and ⁢Krustpils station are currently the main sales channel for express trains with numbered ‌seats, for which it is currently not possible to buy tickets electronically.

LETA previously explained to the ​ATD agency that in accordance with⁤ the legislation, the consolidated network ‌of public transport routes of regional importance is prepared once a ​year on January 1 of the current year.

Currently, ATD’s delegation‌ from the Public Transport Council meeting is to continue ⁣working​ on a more detailed study of various possible changes. Potentially, these changes would⁤ include a review of tariffs, changes in the route network, for example, evaluation of unprofitable flights with profitability indicators of up to 10%, further development of the ⁢network of commercial routes,‍ as well as opportunities not to finance infrastructure ‍positions that‍ are less or not used at all‌ by ⁣passengers, such ‌as‌ train ‌station ticket offices and⁢ other positions.

ATD‌ is the implementer of a unified state⁤ policy in​ the ⁤field of international transport, business licensing of road transport commercial transport, as⁢ well as public transport planning.

What are ‌the main criteria used by the ATD to ⁣evaluate unprofitable⁤ flights?

Interview⁣ between Time.news Editor and Transport Expert

Editor: Good ‌day, and⁣ welcome to Time.news. Today, we have the pleasure of ​speaking with Dr. Anna Novikova, a renowned transport‍ expert and member of the ‍Public Transport Council. Dr. Novikova, thank you for joining us.

Dr. Novikova: ‌Thank you for having me! ⁤It’s a pleasure to ⁣be here.

Editor: Recently, there have been discussions surrounding the⁤ assessment of unprofitable flights and potential closures by the ATD. Can you explain the criteria used for evaluating these ⁣flights?

Dr. Novikova: ​ Absolutely. The ATD evaluated a total of‍ 888 flights based on various criteria. This included the average number of passengers ⁤transported, the coverage of state grants over ⁤operational expenses, and‍ the possibility to assess flight performance upon request. The goal was to ensure that we only retain ‌routes that​ provide genuine value to the community.

Editor: It sounds like a comprehensive evaluation process. ⁢From the information we’ve seen, ATD has advised the ​closure of⁢ 43 flights and recommended reducing execution days on 39⁤ others. What impact do you think this will have ⁤on passengers in those⁣ regions?

Dr. Novikova: Well, the proposed ⁣closures will certainly⁢ be concerning for passengers relying on these routes, particularly in the Latgale and Vidzeme planning regions where⁣ most of the flights are being targeted. However, ⁢it’s crucial to assess whether these routes can be optimized rather than just eliminated. As Ivo Ošineks⁤ from the Latvian Passenger Carriers Association rightly pointed out, we should avoid a narrow focus on just cutting services; instead, we should explore how to transition people from private to public transport effectively.

Editor: That’s an interesting ‍point. Can you elaborate on the implications⁢ of losing these flights and what the council should consider moving forward?

Dr. Novikova: Yes, closing flights could deter⁣ individuals ⁣from using public transport‍ altogether. If we shut down these routes‍ without a solid ‍plan to improve connectivity and availability of alternatives, reinstating them later on will be costly and challenging. ​We need to think about creating a well-connected network—not only linking bus routes but also exploring multimodal connections. This ⁢strategy could encourage people to opt for public transport, enhancing overall service sustainability.

Editor: You mentioned the importance of creating a network of ‌routes. How do you envision this network operating effectively?

Dr. Novikova: The key lies in integration and coordination. By interlinking various transport modes—buses, trains, and even bike-share programs—we can provide seamless travel options ‍for residents. The challenge will be ensuring that the schedules align, making transfers easy and‌ reducing wait times. This way, public⁣ transport becomes a ‌viable choice compared to private vehicles.

Editor: It does sound like a complex undertaking. There ‍are also discussions about​ closing ticket offices and waiting⁢ rooms at some railway stations. How do you see this impacting the ease of ⁢access to train services?

Dr. Novikova: The closures could complicate access ‍for certain demographics, particularly the elderly or those ⁢who may not be⁣ tech-savvy and rely on physical⁢ locations‍ for information and ticket purchasing. It’s​ crucial that as we streamline services, ⁤we also⁢ enhance the digital platforms⁣ to⁤ ensure that all demographics can navigate ⁣the ⁣system easily. This could also involve providing​ training ‍or support at remaining⁤ locations.

Editor: It seems there’s a ​lot of work to be done to improve the public transport landscape. What would you advise policymakers to focus on during this transitional phase?

Dr. Novikova: I would encourage policymakers to adopt a holistic perspective, looking beyond immediate cost-saving measures. Focus should be directed towards investment in infrastructure and enhancements in service delivery that create a user-friendly experience. Engaging with communities​ to understand their needs and desires is ⁣vital for developing a transport system that ⁣genuinely serves the public’s interests.

Editor: Thank‌ you, Dr. Novikova, ‌for your​ insights on this pressing issue. Your expertise is invaluable as we navigate these changes ⁤in our transport industry.

Dr. Novikova: Thank you for⁢ having me! I appreciate the opportunity to discuss these important matters. Let’s hope for a more connected and efficient⁤ future in transport.

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