The new buses will cover a total of 818 routes and 4,916 journeys across the country. They will not only be more comfortable and safer, but also more accessible to people with reduced mobility, vision, and hearing, and some will be more environmentally friendly.
As of November 1 , more than 170 new buses will be introduced on three new parts of the route network - "Talsi, Tukums", "Jelgava, Dobele" and "Gulbene, Alūksne, Balvi", joining the existing 582 improved vehicles across the country.
The new buses will meet higher quality requirements and their average age will not exceed four years. They will be equipped with electronic route signs, seat belts, wireless internet, and cashless payment.
Particular attention has been paid to accessibility: all buses will have tactile numbering and stop information will be provided in both audio and visual formats. Most buses will have a lift, providing at least one wheelchair-accessible space and facilitating access to the bus. In addition, 32% of the buses will be equipped with bicycle racks, and 10% will be zero-emission vehicles, which will help to reduce environmental impacts, the Directorate claims.
