Although Rīga municipal company Rīgas Satiksme has nearly 50 low-floor trams, they operate only in two of the six tram lines, because the infrastructure has not been adapted. The other four tram lines are served by 30-40-year-old trams that don't meet modern requirements. Rīgas Satiksme said repairs are already underway in the city so that low-floor trams can be used on several tram lines.
“It is most likely that the 7th tram line and the 5th tram line will become more accessible in the spring. We still have the 9th tram line to Sarkandaugava, to Mangali,” said Rīga City Council Chairman Vilnis Ķirsis (New Unity).
Repairing the 9th tram line would cost about 50 million euros. But the City Council chairman stressed the need first to bring the started projects to a head in rebuilding the 5th and 7th tram line. Repairs on Slokas Street are scheduled to be completed in spring or early summer next year.
Rīgas Satiksme said the replacement of the trams is the next priority after buses.
Funding could be found in European Union funds, in the wallet of the City Council, as well as on borrowing.
