This means the bus driver will stop at the bus stop only if the passenger shows his/her desire to get off in time by pressing the door open button or, while at the bus stop, - is in a position visible to the driver and stands at the stop sign. It should be noted that unofficially this already takes place on many routes.
The company said that this will initially be introduced on 20 bus routes at around 300 stops, but that in total more than 400 stops have been identified where this could be introduced.
These stops are mostly located in the outer suburbs of Riga or in the suburbs where passenger flows are low.
"This system is already in place in many parts of Europe and makes public transport move faster, reducing the time spent on the route," said Baiba Bartaševiča-Feldmane, the company's head of public relations.
A special sign - a raised hand icon on a green background - will be placed at the on-demand stop. The signs will be located on the bus stop pole above the timetables. At other stops where there is no such indication, the running order will remain the same as usual.
While drivers and passengers are still adjusting to the new system, drivers will follow the flow of passengers and stop at the stop even if the passenger is standing at the door but has not pressed the door open button, the company said.
