A total of 320 train journeys are performed in Latvia on average per day. The flight reduction will allow time for Škoda Vagonka to ensure the technical condition of trains so that the operator can return them to service, mitigating the risks to passengers.
"When choosing which trains to cancel, we see where there is less passenger traffic or there is a relatively close alternative. [..] If Škoda Vagonka can ensure reliable operation of trains more timely, we will resume the performance of these journeys faster," Grigulis said.
If passengers have already purchased tickets for those rides, they can be used on other rides, the company said.
Returning old trains to the lines is currently "not effective and economically justified because they have run out of official service and investment in extending it is disproportionate", the company noted.
As a result, four trains in the direction of Tukums and three in the direction of Skulte will be canceled until March 4.
The canceled trains are as follows:
- No. 6443 Rīga (20:54) – Sloka (21:44) every day
- No. 6444 Sloka (22:18) – Rīga (23:08) every day
- No. 6347 Rīga (18:24) – Dubulti (18:59) on weekdays
- No. 6346 Dubulti (19:18) – Rīga (19:53) on weekdays
- No. 6103 Saulkrasti (5:29) – Rīga (6:29) on weekdays
- No. 6108 Rīga (6:43) – Saulkrasti (7:43) on weekdays
- No. 6117 Saulkrasti (8:39) – Rīga (9:39) on weekdays.
As reported earlier by LSM, it was found on Tuesday, January 2, that five of the total seventeen electric trains delivered to Latvia by Skoda Vagonka had different deficiencies. The defects on one of the trains resulted in a three-hour standstill on the Rīga-Skulte line, and on Wednesday, although issues were said to have been fixed on three trains, traffic was still delayed by up to an hour on the same line due to the same reasons.
The train delay streak continued all week, and it was later reported that seven trains had issues. This resulted in train cancellations on January 9 and inconveniences for many. Vivi has pledged to refund ticket prices in the event of issues, as well as the costs for other means of transportation used to get to the destination train services could not provide.
