2024-04-01 10:09:27
ATD states that passengers will be able to obtain accurate information about the new ticket prices at ticket sales points or from carriers.
Electronically purchased tickets in mobile apps and on the Internet will be cheaper for passengers, as the purpose of the new ticket system is to change the habits of passengers and encourage them not to buy tickets from the driver or at the ticket office, notes the directorate.
ATD reminds that last December the Public Transport Council approved a new regional public transport ticket and tariff system, which will come into effect gradually from today until the middle of 2025.
In the new tariff system, the principle of the minimum fee will remain, but in order to adjust this tariff to the urban public transport systems, the minimum fare will be determined, including in Riga it will be 1.5 euros, in other cities – one euro, and outside the cities – 0.7 euros.
According to ATD, changes in fares for short or medium-distance buses in the new tariff system will be relatively small and aimed at not putting pressure on passengers who often use public transport, but as a result of the changes, there are also some cases where the increase will be higher.
Also, in order to strengthen the train as the backbone of public transport, it is planned to introduce a new type of ticket “Train+” on the existing train and bus connections in Aizkraukle, Tukum, Krāslava and Dagda, with which you can travel by bus for short trips to or from the train stop without extra charge or for a minimal fee.
From today, trains will have one-time, three-day, five-day and 30-day tickets, while regional buses will have one-time tickets and existing monthly tickets. On the other hand, when all types of tickets are unified in train and bus transportation, ten and 20-trip tickets will also be introduced.
ATD adds that the current types of tickets will remain in bus transportation – from ten to 19 trips, 20 to 34 trips and 35 and more trips.
On the other hand, if the existing monthly ticket paid off for the passenger in the train after 33 trips and in the bus after 41 trips, according to the new tariff system, the benefit for the passenger in trains and buses will be from the 21st trip.
ATD explained that the fare for a trip by train on the Riga-Liepāja route was previously 7.4 euros, but in the future it will be 8.9 euros, while the fare for a trip by bus on this route was 8.65 euros, but in the future it will be 10.4 euro.
At the same time, the price of a train ticket on the Riga-Sigulda route was 2.1 euros, but from now on it will be 2.5 euros, while a train ride on the Riga-Madona route previously cost 5.45 euros, but now it will cost 6.5 euros.
The existing regional public transport tariff system in Latvia has been in force since 2020 – the last tariff changes in regional public transport routes were made on January 15, 2020, when the fare for all regional transports, regardless of distance, was increased by 0.1 euro. At the same time, in train transportation, an increase of 0.2 euros was set for the ticket price above 1.9 euros.
Also, ATD reminds that the work on a new regional public transport tariff system started in 2023, and this was determined by the decision taken at the government meeting, with which the Ministry of Transport was given the task of preparing and submitting for consideration to the Cabinet a proposal on the measures to be taken to reduce the amount of compensation in order to solve the issue for the additional necessary state budget funds to cover the losses of public transport service providers.
One of the solutions was to revise the existing tariff system and develop a new one.
It has already been reported that 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.
2024-04-01 10:09:27