29% of respondents fully support this solution, while 26% rather support it.
However, 21% of the respondents do not support the Rail Baltica high-speed rail link to Rīga in the first construction phase of the project, while 24% found it difficult to answer this question.
As reported earlier, the Latvian government has agreed to bypass Rīga in the first stage of construction, mainly due to insufficient finances.
"This survey allows us to assess the attitude of the Latvian population towards the inclusion of Rīga in the first stage of the Rail Baltica project. In order to meet the expectations of the population, the project should connect at least one of Riga's two international Rail Baltica stations with a European standard gauge. Taking into account the population and density of the Riga agglomeration, this would ensure significantly higher passenger volumes and added value already in the initial operational phase of the project," said Transport Minister Kaspars Briškens (Progressives).
Support also varies across socio-demographic groups. The highest support, or 67%, was expressed by respondents in the 18-29 age group.
The second highest support is observed in the 40-49 age group, with 59% believing that the high-speed rail line should enter Riga already in the first phase of the project. On the other hand, 23% of respondents do not support such an idea and 18% had difficulties in assessing it.
The survey was carried out in all regions of Latvia. The inclusion of Rīga is supported by the majority of Rīga residents (60%) and Pierīga residents (58%). More than half of the respondents are also positive in Zemgale (53%) and Vidzeme (50%), where the construction of the Rail Baltica railway line is planned. In Kurzeme, the support rate is 48%, and in Latgale - 47%.
1003 respondents aged 18-74 were surveyed.
