Transport
Latvian airline airBaltic announced another step September 26 in its long-lasting journey towards an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of its shares on the open market.
The first high-speed train on the would-be Rail Baltica could start running in 2028. The entire route from Tallinn to the Lithuanian/Polish border is promised to be completed by 2030. The biggest concern is whether the multi-billion euro project will have enough money. To finish work in Rīga, EUR 200 million is already lacking, Latvian Radio reported on September 26.
The National Armed Forces have launched a service investigation into the surveillance drone lost along the Latvia-Russia border over the weekend. Meanwhile, information about a similar aircraft found in the Pskov area is already appearing on Russian social media, Latvian Television reported Monday.
The legendary ER2M-605 train, which has carried passengers for 57 years, has now made its final journey before the “Passenger Trains” (PV) deservedly retires it, Latvian Television reported September 25.
In several countries, cars with Russian license plates are no longer allowed in, and there is currently discussion about how to treat those cars that were able to enter the European Union before the ban. Latvia is working on a framework that will determine the timeframe before these cars must be registered in Latvia or they should leave the territory of our country, as agreed on by the coalition on Monday, September 25.
The National Armed Forces (NBS), lost contact with a drone on Saturday, September 23, that may have landed on Russian soil. The incident took place during military exercises Namejs 2023, the Ministry of Defense (AM) said Sunday.
After the closure of the border crossing point in Silene, the Pāternieki border point has become the only one to cross the border between Latvia and Belarus. As a result, lorry queues have grown significantly, Latvian Television reported on September 22.
The Ministry of Justice will submit a draft law to the Saeima that would prevent vehicles registered in Russia and Belarus from staying in Latvia for a prolonged time, ultimately also allowing confiscation of such vehicles, the Ministry told the media in a statement on September 22.
Several German retro sports cars have arrived from Stuttgart Motor Museum, almost all of which were created by a Latvian – Anatols Kārlis Lapiņš. The creator's hometown of Rīga will see most of them for the first time, Latvian Television reported Thursday.
On eight sections of Latvia's roads, the average speed is currently being measured. More than 2,500 infringements have been recorded since they were installed – most for the absence of compulsory road user insurance (OCTA) rather than speeding, Latvian Television reported on September 21.
Fresh figures published by Eurostat September 18 show that Latvians remain devoted to their cars when compared to other forms of transport.
The number of cars registered in Russia in Latvia should decrease in the near future, but there is no indication of this happening currently, the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) told Latvian Television September 18.
Two more road sections of average speed control have started operating on the Daugavpils Highway (A6) during the night to Tuesday, September 19: from Koknese to Stukmaņi (km 102.4-116.0) and from the bridge over the Aiviekste in Pļaviņas to the house “Banderi” (km 133.5-139.2), Latvian State Roads (LVC) said.
Latvian Television's analytical news show "What's happening in Latvia?" (“Kas notiek Latvijā?”/KNL), has continued to probe questionable use of the public purse.
Although nearly a half of Latvian residents travel by public transport at least once a week, residents prefer cars more often in their daily activities, according to a survey by research company Kantar published September 18.
32% of Baltic residents plan to buy a car in the next two years, according to a survey conducted by Swedbank. While interest in environmentally friendly cars - hybrids and electric cars - is growing, most plan to buy second-hand cars with diesel or petrol engines, Latvian Radio reported September 18.
The Turkish association of companies which offered to build the Rail Baltica track route for a cheaper price than its competitors in a tender, has been excluded from the procurement on the recommendation of the State Security Service (VDD), Latvian Television's De Facto broadcast of September 17 reported.
As of Tuesday, September 12, persons with vehicles registered in the Russian Federation are prohibited from entering the European Union (EU) through the Latvian-Russian and Latvian-Belarusian border crossing points, according to information from the State Revenue Service (VID) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Monday, September 11, outside the Freedom Monument at 17:30 the celebratory welcome of the Latvian men's basketball team will take place. From 16:30 until the end of the event on Monday, vehicle traffic will be closed or restricted if necessary, Rīga City Council reported.
The reconstruction of Vanšu and Zemitāna bridges in Rīga could start at the end of next year or the beginning of 2025, Rīga Mayor Vilnis Ķirsis (New Unity) said in an interview with Latvian Television on September 8.
Fresh data from Eurostat shows that Latvians spent just over half a billion euros on tourism in 2021.
The Saeima has submitted amendments to the Road traffic Law for viewing in the committees, providing for higher penalties for speeding, LETA reports Thursday.
There are 38 locations across Latvia that have been officially designated as accident blackspots, according to updated information from Latvian State Roads (Latvijas valsts ceļi, LVC).
Several street repairs make traffic slower in Rīga. The largest bottlenecks arise in the vicinity of the Central Station and the Central Market, where the ambitious construction work of the railway line Rail Baltica takes place. These works will be delayed by a month and a half, Latvian Radio reported on September 4.
In August, the first major infrastructure facility on the Latvian–Belarusian border – the 30-meter, 30-tonne metal tunnel – was commissioned, which will significantly facilitate border guarding along the Daugavpils-Polotsk railway line, said Renārs Griškevics, Chairman of the Board of State Real Estate (VNĪ) on September 4.
Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) data published on September 1 show that in H1 2023, compared to H1 2022, freight transport by all modes of transport has decreased.
Riga City Council has signed an agreement with the Central Finance and Contract Agency regarding the implementation of a project that provides for the design and construction of cycling paths from Rīga to Piņķi, Ulbroka, and Ķekava, the Rīga City Council said on September 1.
Liepāja is experiencing an increase in tourist numbers this summer – nearly 30 thousand city guests have been received in Q2 of this year. That is 15% more than last year during the same time, TV Kurzeme reported on August 30.
On September 2, Latvian Postal service (Latvijas Pasts, LP) will issue a new postage stamp dedicated to the 120th anniversary of the only regularly rolling narrow-gauge railway line in the Baltic, Gulbene-Alūksne, said LP.
Latvia supports the renewal of train traffic between Latvia and Lithuania and the priority is the Rīga-Daugavpils-Vilnius route, the Latvian Ministry of Transport said in a statement on August 29.
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