In Latvia, 1,271 regional bus services may not operate on September 16
In Latvia, on Wednesday, September 16, 1,271 regional bus services may not operate due to a protest by carriers. The “Day Without Regional Public Transport” action is being organized by the Latvian Passenger Carriers Association.
According to LSM English, information about the possible suspension of services was collected by Latvia’s Road Transport Administration. The protest is to last one day, during which regional buses will not operate.
Participants in the action
As of Monday noon, AS Talsu autotransports, AS Rēzeknes autobusu parks, SIA Daugavpils autobusu parks and SIA Norma A had confirmed their participation in the protest. A total of 1,271 regional bus services are scheduled for these companies on September 16, and they are likely not to be operated.
Hansabuss Latvija, the municipal company Ventspils reiss, Liepājas autobusu parks, Nordeka and VTU Valmiera had not provided the Road Transport Administration with a response regarding participation in the action at that time. At the same time, according to the administration, Latvijas sabiedriskais autobuss and Cata will not participate in the protest.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Carriers’ demands
The association says the action is intended to draw attention to the critical situation in public transport and, in its view, the government’s insufficient interest in resolving it. It believes that inadequate state funding and decisions in the sector jeopardize the provision of quality services.
The carriers demand the urgent settlement of the indexation of long-term contracts for regional bus operators and the allocation of additional funds to cover the substantial increase in costs. The association also calls for compensation for rising fuel prices, which it links to the conflict in the Middle East, and for funding expenses related to changes to long-term contracts.
The protest will take place a year after the previous action, during which services were suspended for one hour. The carriers stressed that the current action will not be a one-off event if the sector’s problems are not heard.
