The Directorate of Road Transport states that the issue is a controversial one, but politicians must decide whether to ban such transport options or not. Meanwhile, the carriers say that while the number of passengers to the aggressor countries who teamed up to attack Ukraine is decreasing, they will continue to provide transportation as long as it turns a profit.
As previously reported by LSM, private cars from Russia and Belarus have been largely banned from Latvian roads – the full Belarus ban comes into effect October 31 – which may have the effect of increasing the numbers looking to travel by coach instead.
The Latvian Foreign Ministry's advice remains to avoid travelling to Russia and Belarus completely – but it seems many people are happy to disregard the warning.
Several companies deal with passenger transportation to Russia and Belarus. Data from the Road Transport Directorate show that 28 permits issued for passenger transport to third countries were valid in September.
SIA "Norma-A" is one of these companies whose permits are still valid for more than two years.
"Every year [the number of passengers] decreases, that's for sure. We don't specifically [reduce] that, but bus trips are getting fewer and the number of people is also getting smaller," admitted Andris Podgornijs, the chairman of the company's board.
"The conditions are as they are now, are very changeable. In the summer, there is definitely more demand. As long as the departures are profitable in some sense, we will keep driving," he said, adding that there were plenty other carriers from other countries also visible at the border.
Ticket prices, compared to the time before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have doubled, and no discounts are applicable. At the border, passengers can also expect a lengthy document check.
"We only inform [the authorities] which passengers will arrive and then the control services [will check]. That's why now the buses stand at the border for a much longer time while everyone is checked. That's why the border crossing time is not specific today either, it depends not only on how people drive, but how fast they can cross the border. There are people who are refused both entry and exit, so the buses must stop and are checked," said Podgornijs.
Whether the trade in passenger traffic is brought to a complete halt will depend on whether the European Commission will strengthen its sanctions regime.
The representative of the Directorate of Road Transport, Viktors Zaķis, explained that the Directorate only issues transport permits, but it is not known how merchants use them.
"It is already a political decision whether to go to these countries at all," said Zaķis.
In the meantime, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates its call to evaluate the necessity and not to travel to Russia and Belarus.
Only certain categories of Russian citizens can enter Latvia these days – those who have residence permits, family connections and persons entering due to humanitarian reasons. Russians cannot enter Latvia for the purpose of tourism or entertainment. In recent months the Latvian Foreign Ministry has blacklisted several Russian entertainers who had been booked to give concerts in Latvia, causing those concerts to be cancelled.
