Transport
In 2022, the length of electrified railway lines in EU countries reached 115 000 kilometres (km), a 31% increase compared with 1990, when it totalled 88 000 km. The entire EU railway network had a length of 202 000 km, with the share of electrified lines amounting to nearly 57%, according to Eurostat data published March 13.
The Latvian train operator Pasažieru Vilciens/Vivi has pledged to cover rehabilitation expenses for two passengers on the Rīga-Daugavpils train who suffered injuries on Friday, March 8, when they disembarked from the train at Lielvārde railway station because the train carriages did not stop at the platform, Vivi said Monday.
Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) data of March 6 show that in 2023, compared to 2022, passenger traffic by all modes of transport has increased.
Currently, 24 new electric trains of the Czech company Škoda Vagonka have been delivered to Pasažieru Vilciens (PV), brand name Vivi, and the rest of the ordered trains will be delivered to Latvia by the middle of this summer, said Martin Bednar, CEO of Škoda Vagonka, at a press briefing on March 5.
Latvian national airline airBaltic racked up the largest profit in its history last year – 34 million euros, as opposed to the loss of 54 million euros a year earlier, the company said March 5.
Latvia's postal reform, which initially foresaw closing 60% of post offices, has been halted for now, and no post office will be closed anew. Those whose activities have been suspended already will remain closed, the Latvian Postal Service (LP) representatives and Transport Minister said on Wednesday, February 28.
If the Riga City Council is unable to decide on property rights to 22 plots of land near the airport, the matter is likely to wind up in the courts, Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development Inga Bērziņa (New Unity) said in an interview on Latvian Television's "Today's Question" program February 26.
Although speed cameras working on roads in Latvia have been verified as accurate, both the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) and the State Police are involved in the preparation of violation penalty protocols. Efforts are being made to ensure as little human involvement as possible, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on February 25.
After the plan to close Latvian Postal Service (Latvijas Pasts, LP) offices was suspended, discussions were not over. Postal workers are divided - some are looking for other solutions with their union, and some are signing a letter in support of the changes, Latvian Television reported on February 22.