Latvia railway news
News about railway and urban rail infrastructure, operations, policy, projects and the supply industry in Lativa, including the Rail Baltica project.
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In depthBaltic States: Co-operation and competition drive network development
While Rail Baltica moves slowly towards its planned opening in 2030, the national railways in the three Baltic States are continuing to invest in modernising their broad gauge networks and integrating their domestic and international operations into the wider European network, as Vladimir Waldin explains.
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In depthBaltic States: Tight timeline sparks Rail Baltica rethink
Facing increasing pressure on both cost and deliverability grounds, the Rail Baltica project to build a standard gauge spine through the Baltic States is now to be delivered in two phases. Toma Bačić explains.
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News‘Highly complex’ Rail Baltica electrification contract signed
EUROPE: The COBELEC consortium and the Rail Baltica project promoters have ceremonially signed the €1·77bn design and build contract for electrification of the future standard gauge corridor.
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Metro Report InternationalRiga tramway extension work begins
LATVIA: Construction of a 2·2 km extension to Riga’s southeastern tram corridor along Latgales iela get underway with a groundbreaking ceremony at Višķu iela.
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NewsVilnius, Riga and Tallinn linked by co-ordinated passenger trains
EUROPE: The national passenger train operators of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have launched co-ordinated services to make it more practical to travel between Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn by rail.
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NewsTraction innovations on show in Ostrava
CZECH REPUBLIC: One of the 18 Flirt electric multiple-units being supplied to Serbia formed the centrepiece of the Stadler presentation for the Rail Business Days 2024 trade fair at Ostrava’s Trojhalí Karolina centre.
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NewsWreath of European plants tops out Riga Central station
LATVIA: A Rail Baltica and Europe-themed wreath formed the centrepiece of the topping out ceremony for the new station building at Riga Central. The station is being extensively remodelled to improve facilities for services on the existing broad gauge network as well as accommodating the Rail ...
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NewsLithuanian rail operator pilots ‘competitive green logistics’ in the three Baltic States
EUROPE: Lithuania’s LTG Cargo has operated a pilot freight train through Latvia to Valga, the first station in Estonia. On February 23 CEO Eglė Šimė said LTG Cargo plans to start offering ‘competitive green logistics services’ in the three countries in the near future, as a ...
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NewsBoard of Latvian operator quits over problems with new trains
LATVIA: The supervisory board of national passenger operator Pasažieru Vilciens, now branded Vivi, resigned at the end of January, saying they lacked the powers needed to address disruption resulting from faults with new trains. Sandis Šteins had headed the board since 2016, and resigned along with ...
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NewsVilnius – Riga passenger train launch date confirmed
EUROPE: Lithuanian passenger operator LTG Link has opened ticket sales for its Vilnius – Riga service, which is set to launch on December 27. The daily service will leave Vilnius at 06.30 and arrive in the Latvian capital at 10.43. The return ...
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NewsLatvian operator rebrands as Škoda EMUs enter service
LATVIA: Passenger operator Pasažieru Vilcien, now rebranding as Vivi, has put its first Škoda Class 16EV electric multiple-units into passenger service. ‘We are taking a big step forward in the development of train travel and we continue to work to ensure that more and more passengers ...
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NewsVilnius – Riga passenger train to launch in December
EUROPE: Lithuanian passenger operator LTG Link expects to launch a through service from Vilnius to Riga in Latvia in December, filling a gap in the European passenger rail network. A track access agreement has been signed with the Latvian infrastructure manager, Latvian speaking drivers have been ...
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Metro Report InternationalLocally-assembled tram unveiled in Daugavpils
LATVIA: The first two of four trams being assembled at the Daugavpils Locomotive Repair Plant using components supplied by Czech company Pragoimex was unveiled in the city on October 17. The trams are based on Pragoimex’s EVO1 model. The remaining two vehicles are due to be ...
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NewsRail Baltica Academy to provide project insights for all
EUROPE: The Rail Baltica Academy is to hold its third series of online public lectures from May 22, aiming to provide a broad audience including industry professionals, policymakers, students and future users with insights gained from the cross-border standard gauge line project. The lecture programme is ...
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NewsBaltic States discuss Vilnius – Riga – Tallinn passenger service and gauge conversion
EUROPE: Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are to explore options to launch a passenger service between their capitals using existing 1 520 mm gauge railways, ahead of the completion of the future Rail Baltica 1 435 mm gauge line. The lack of through services between the Baltic ...
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News€353m Rail Baltica grant agreement signed
EUROPE: A grant agreement which will see the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility provide €353·9m for the Rail Baltica project has been signed by the European Climate, Infrastructure & Environment Executive Agency, ministries from the three countries and tri-national implementation agency RB Rail. This will fund the ...
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Metro Report InternationalTrams to be produced in Latvia
LATVIA: The municipal transport operator in Daugavpils has awarded Daugavpils Locomotive Repair Plant a €7·4m+VAT contract to supply four new fully low-floor four-axle trams by the end of 2023.
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In depthViewpoint: Institutional fragmentation has undermined Rail Baltica
On paper Rail Baltica is a perfect match for the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility programme. But three issues need to be addressed, argues Kaspars Briškens, who recently stepped down as Head of Strategy & Development at the standard gauge railway project.
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Metro Report InternationalTram for Latvia highlights Croatian capabilities
INNOTRANS: One of the TMK 2300 LT low-floor trams which Croatian manufacturer Končar is supplying to Liepāja was displayed at InnoTrans before delivery to Latvia. The metre-gauge TMK 2300 LT is a development of the TMK 2200 trams supplied to Zagreb, and ...
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NewsAmber Train links the Baltic States to western Europe
EUROPE: A trial Amber Train service between the Baltic States left the Estonian port of Muuga on September 13, arriving the following day at Kaunas in Lithuanian where its load of semi-trailers was transferred to 1 435 mm gauge wagons for onward transport to destinations including ...