RIGA | Public Transport

[Hybrid 87]

Rīga
The capital city of Latvia, also known as the "Baltic Pearl".

Some facts about the city:
Area
• City 304 km2 (117 sq mi)
• Water 48.50 km2 (18.73 sq mi) 15.8%
• Metro 10,133 km2 (3,912 sq mi)

Population
• City 699,203
• Density 2,300/km2 (6,000/sq mi)
• Metro 1,018,295 (Riga Region)
_____________________________________________
Public transport
Last update: 10.02.2013.

Bus
441 bus servicing 54 bus routes (one is temporary, due to tram track reconstruction) + 9 night bus routes (Fridays - Sundays)

Trolleybus
302 trolleybuses servicing 19 trolleybus routes

Tram
258 trams servicing 9 tram routes

Minibus
33 minibus routes

Operator

Homepage - http://www.rigassatiksme.lv
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/rigassatiks...ref=ts&fref=ts
Twitter - https://twitter.com/Rigassatiksme_
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Notable posts:

06.02.2010 - Bus History and current stats
06.02.2010 - Tram & Trolleybus History and current stats
06.02.2010 - Payment types and prices
13.02.2010 - Details about the historic project of Riga Metro
27.02.2010 - Photo tour by Hyrbid 87
22.03.2010 - First pictures of Škoda 15T forCity Riga (on Škoda test track)
30.03.2010 - First Škoda 15T delivery to Riga
29.04.2010 - Škoda 15T presentation to the public
06.06.2010 - first pictures of Škoda 15T in daily service
16.06.2010 - Some pictures of PT in Riga from 2001 (by Hybrid 87)
07.11.2010 - Statistics about the rolling stock of Riga PT
30.01.2011 - Photo tour by Hybrid 87
31.07.2011 - Photos by Agnette
17.05.2012 - Photos by LeifSpangberg
26.05.2012 - Videos by LeifSpangberg
08.06.2012 - First Škoda 15T1 delivered to Riga
22.09.2012 - Photo tour by Hybrid 87
10.02.2013 - Photos of first Škoda 15T/15T1 days of service on route #11
10.02.2013 - Photo tour by Hybrid87
04.05.2013 - News January-May 2013
12.05.2013 - Photos from tram track renovations on Brīvības iela

[hokomoko]

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr

[Hybrid 87]

Bus History

1852 - first horse omnibuss routes are opened.
1913 - first bus route is opened.
1924 - first regular bus route is opened.
1938 - 19 bus routes, 151 bus, transported passangers - 29`250`000.
1941 - all bus transport was nationalazed.
after WWII - Bus transport is at the border of extinction.
1946 - Bus Depot Nr. 1 is opened (with only 15 buses).
1960ties - Almost all busses changed to Ikarus buses.
1970ties - Conductors replaced by mechanical counters which accepted only one type of coins - 5 copeck.
1992 - After reorganization of the bus depots two municipal companies were opened: [i]Imanta[/b] (providing services on the left bank of Daugava) and Tālava (providing services on the right bank of Daugava)
1996 - Conductors introduced back in the buses (except express bus routes, where the driver was also the conductor)
1997 - After signing a loan contract with the world bank, the first new Mercedes-Benz buses arrived.
_________________________________________________________________
Trivia:
1944 - after the war the service could be provided only with 4 buses.
1970ties - Mechanical counters showed up in the buses accepting only 5 copeck coins (if a passanger didn't have such a coin it could be changed by the driver.
In soviet times - There were kitchen buses working as cafes in many places.
In soviet times - Buses were also under the control of the army, so the buses were built/bought with a thought that they could easlity be transformed into sanitary stations.
_________________________________________________________________
Current stats

Network
54 bus routes:
48 routes provide daily service
6 routes provide service only during week days (Monday - Friday)
1 route is temporary (service during 14.04.2012 - mid 2013, due to tram track reconstructions)
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Rolling stock
Sorted by the first year in service

1997 - Mercedes-Benz O345
1997 - Mercedes-Benz O345G
2001 - Solaris Urbino 12
2001 - Solaris Ubrino 15
2001 - Solaris Urbino 18
2001 - Mercedes-Benz O530 Citaro
2001 - Mercedes-Benz O530L Citaro L
2001 - Mercedes-Benz O530G Citaro G
2001 - Ikarus E91.51
2004 - Ikarus E91.54
2004 - Mercedes-Benz O345 Connecto C
2006 - Ikarus E91

_________________________________________________________________
Routes
Since 01.05.2013.
Daily service
Working days only
Temporary (daily) - Due to tram track renovation on tram route #6
Night routes (Friday to Sunday nights)


1 Abrenes iela - Berģi [Map & Timetable]
2 Abrenes iela - Vecmīlgrāvis [Map & Timetable]
3 Pļavnieki - Bolderāja (in summer runs to Vakarbuļļi) [Map & Timetable]
4 Abrenes iela - Piņķi [Map & Timetable]
4z Abrenes iela - Zolitūde [Map & Timetable]
5 Abrenes iela - Mežciems [Map & Timetable]
6 Abrenes iela - Dreiliņi [Map & Timetable]
6T 45. Vidusskola - Jugla [Map & Timetable]
7 Abrenes iela - Stīpnieki [Map & Timetable]
8 Stacijas laukums - Zolitūde [Map & Timetable]
9 Abrenes iela - Mežaparks [Map & Timetable]
10 Abrenes iela - Jaunmārupe [Map & Timetable]
11 Abrenes iela - Suži [Map & Timetable]
12 Abrenes iela - Kooperatīvs "Ziedonis" [Map & Timetable]
13 Babītes stacija - Preču 2 [Map & Timetable]
14 Abrenes iela - Zvēraudzētava [Map & Timetable]
15 Jugla 3 - Dārziņi [Map & Timetable]
16 Abrenes iela - Garkalnes Mucenieki [Map & Timetable]
18 Abrenes iela - Dārziņi [Map & Timetable]
19 Mežciems - Bukulti - Sarkandaugava [Map & Timetable]
20 Pētersalas iela - Pļavnieku kapi [Map & Timetable]
21 Imanta 5 - Jugla 3 [Map & Timetable]
22 Abrenes iela - Lidosta (AIRPORT SERVICE) [Map & Timetable]
23 Abrenes iela - Baloži [Map & Timetable]
24 Abrenes iela - Mangaļsala [Map & Timetable]
25 Abrenes iela - Mārupe [Map & Timetable]
26 Abrenes iela - Katlakalns [Map & Timetable]
28 Jugla 3 - Langstiņi [Map & Timetable]
29 Mežciems - Vecmīlgrāvis [Map & Timetable]
30 Centrālā stacija - Bolderāja [Map & Timetable]
31 Jugla 3 - Dārziņi [Map & Timetable]
32 Abrenes iela - Piņķi [Map & Timetable]
34 Pļavnieki - Saulīši [Map & Timetable]
35 Abrenes iela - Pleskodāle[Map & Timetable]
36 Imanta - Vakarbuļļi [Map & Timetable]
37 Esplanāde - Imanta 5 [Map & Timetable]
38 Abrenes iela - Dzirciema iela [Map & Timetable]
39 Abrenes iela - Lāčupes kapi [Map & Timetable]
40 Ziepniekkalns - Jugla 3 [Map & Timetable]
41 Esplanāde - Imanta 5 [Map & Timetable]
42 Centrāltirgus - Ziepniekkalns [Map & Timetable]
43 Abrenes iela - Skulte [Map & Timetable]
44 Ziepniekkalns - Zolitūde [Map & Timetable]
46 Ziepniekkalns - Zolitūde[Map & Timetable]
47 Abrenes iela - Šķirotava [Map & Timetable]
48 Pļavnieku kapi - Sarkandaugava [Map & Timetable]
49 Mann-Tess - Rumbula [Map & Timetable]
50 Abrenes iela - TEC 2 [Map & Timetable]
51 Abrenes iela - Ulbroka [Map & Timetable]
52 Abrenes iela - Pļavnieku kapi [Map & Timetable]
53 Esplanāde - Zolitūde [Map & Timetable]
54 Abrenes iela - Voleri [Map & Timetable]
55 Abrenes iela - Jaunmārupe [Map & Timetable]

N1 - Centrālā Stacija - Jugla [Map & Timetable]
N2 Centrālā Stacija - Vecmīlgrāvis [Map & Timetable]
N3 Centrālā Stacija - Bolderāja [Map & Timetable]
N4 Centrālā Stacija - Imanta [Map & Timetable]
N5 Centrālā Stacija - Mežciems [Map & Timetable]
N6 Centrālā Stacija - Dreiliņi [Map & Timetable]
N7 Centrālā Stacija - Ķengarags [Map & Timetable]
N8 Centrālā Stacija - Zolitūde [Map & Timetable]
N10 Centrālā Stacija - Ziepniekkalns [Map & Timetable]

[Hybrid 87]

Tram & Trolleybus history

1882 - First horse tram route opened
1901 - First electric tram route opened
before WWI - Tram line length reaches 48km, transported passangers 52`000`000
after WWI - Trams were operated by Belgian companies which neglected the track and rolling stock maintenance and the infrastructure got worse.
1931 - Tram operation got under city council control and the infrastructure quality grew.
After WWII - Tram infrastructure is completly demolished. Tracks and trams are renovated with volunteers (even the army and children)
1940ties - Tram passanger number has grown into a problem. A new project was accepted - Trolleybus.
1947 - First trolleybus route is opened. The idea was to expand tram further away from the center freeing it for trolleybuses
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Current stats

Since 01.05.2013.
Daily service
Working days only
Special*

2 Centrāltirgus - Tapešu iela [Map & Timetable]
3 45.vidusskola - Tirdzniecības centrs "Dole" [Map & Timetable]
4 Centrāltirgus - Imanta [Map & Timetable]
5 Iļģuciems - Mīlgrāvis [Map & Timetable]
6 Stacijas laukums - 45.vidusskola [Map & Timetable]
7 Ausekļa iela - Tirdzniecības centrs "Dole" [Map & Timetable]
9 Aldaris - Tirdzniecības centrs 'Dole' [Map & Timetable]
10 Centrāltirgus - Bišumuiža [Map & Timetable]
11 Stacijas laukums - Mežaparks [Map & Timetable]
RETRO Ausekļa iela - Mežaparks [Map & Timetable]

* RETRO tram route is in use only during summer (May-September) and is serviced by one tram car from the begining of the 20th century (Photo).
** Tram routes 3 and 6 are currently affected by the tram track renovation on Brīvības iela and have a shorter route. After the renovation is completed (summer 2013) the route will go to Jugla instead of 45.vidusskola. Currently the service to Jugla is replaced by bus route 6T.
*** Currently only routes 6 and 11 are serviced by the low-floor trams (Škoda 15T and 15T1).

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Tram rolling stock
Sorted by the first year in service

1976 - Tatra T3A (modernised in 1999-2002)
1988 - Tatra T3MR (modernised in 2005-2007)
1988 - Tatra T6B5 in service since 1988
2010 - Škoda 15T (forCity Riga)
2012 - Škoda 15T1 (forCity Riga)
_______________________________________________________________
Trolleybus network

Since 01.05.2013.
Daily service
Special*
Route with sections without overhead wire**

1 Valmieras iela - Pētersalas iela [Map & Timetable]
3 Centrāltirgus - Sarkandaugava [Map & Timetable]
3a Centrāltirgus - Sarkandaugava - Mežaparks [No Map & Timetable]
5 Daugavas stadions - Klīniskā slimnīca [Map & Timetable]
9 Stacijas laukums - Iļģuciems [Map & Timetable]
11 Centrālā stacija - Ieriķu iela [Map & Timetable]
12 Āgenskalna priedes - Šmerlis [Map & Timetable]
13 Centrāltirgus - Ieriķu iela [Map & Timetable]
14 Esplanāde - Mežciems [Map & Timetable]
15 Latvijas Universitāte - Višķu iela [Map & Timetable]
16 Pļavnieki - Šmerlis [Map & Timetable]
17 Centrālā stacija - Purvciems [Map & Timetable]
18 Centrālā stacija - Mežciems [Map & Timetable]
19 Pētersalas iela - Ziepniekkalns [Map & Timetable]
20 Latvijas Universitāte - Televīzijas centrs [Map & Timetable]
22 E.Birznieka Upīša iela - Pļavnieki [Map & Timetable]
23 Centrālā stacija - Purvciems [Map & Timetable]
24 A/s "Dzintars" - Pētersalas iela [Map & Timetable]
25 Brīvības iela - Iļģuciems [Map & Timetable]
27 Stacijas laukums - Ābolu iela [Map & Timetable]

* Route 3a is in use only during celebrations in the "Mežaparka lielā estrāde" (for example "Dziesmu un deju svētki"). The route is the same as for route 3, but after "Sarkandaugava", the trolleybuses change to diesel engine and drive over the railroad crossing (here is a photo of that) and continue on Meža Prospekts, till Kokneses prospekts, where they turn arnound.
** Routes 3, 9 and 27 partially use diesel engines on their routes. Route 3 uses it to get to Kundiņsala. Routes 9 and 27 use it from Akmens tilts to Stacijas laukums. These routes use only Škoda 24Tr trolleybuses which are equiped with diesel engines.
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Trolleybus rolling stock
Sorted by the first year in service

1989 - Škoda 14Tr02/6
1989 - Škoda 15Tr02/6
1990 - Škoda 15Tr03/6
1998 - Škoda 14Tr13/6
1998 - Škoda 14TrM18/6
1998 - Škoda 15Tr19 (15TrM)
1999 - AKSM-333
2001 - AKSM-321
2001 - Trollino 18 I
2004 - Ganz / Maz 103T
2005 - Trollino 18 III
2007 - Škoda 24Tr Irisbus (some are equiped with diesel engines)

[Hybrid 87]

Minibuses
Brief history
In the 1960ties-1970ties a new form of public transport was indroduced - Maršrute taksometri (Route Taxi). These routes were as express or shuttle service and only minibuses like RAF-997 and later RAF-2203. These minibuses were constructed in Latvia (Riga, later in Jelgava) and have earned the nickname "Latvija" throughout USSR.
Till mid 1990ties all routes had one end point in the center - Maršruta Taksometru Stacija (Route Taxi Station). It was near the Railway station. After 1990ties most of the service was taken over by private companies and the routes began to move away from that station.
In 2011 Rīgas Satiksme signed an agreement with the companies who operated the routes. The service was still provided by private companies, but Rīgas Satiksme had more control over them. But the service quallity is poor - only formal timetables at the route ends (minibuses acctually run without them), drivers smoking in the vehicles, only cash accepted as payment for the ride.
Since may 2013 a company called Rīgas Mikroautobusu Satiksme was formed as a subsidiary of Rīgas Satiksme. This company will slowly take over the minibus routes to provide a higher quallity of service. Since 01.05.2013. routes 200, 224 and 267 are serviced by this company and provide service with new Mercedes minibus and now it is possible to use e-talons (the electronical ticket) in them

Network
Since 01.05.2013.
Daily service

200 Centrs - Vecdaugava [Map & Timetable]
203 Jugla - Pļavnieki [Map & Timetable]
204 Centrs - Jugla [Map & Timetable]
206 Centrs - Mežciems [Map & Timetable]
208 Centrs - Pļavnieki [Map & Timetable]
209 Purvciems - Rumbula [Map & Timetable]
212 Centrs - Pļavnieki [Map & Timetable]
212A Centrs - Dreiliņi [Map & Timetable]
213 Centrs - Pļavnieki [Map & Timetable]
214 Centrs - Dreiliņi [Map & Timetable]
216 Centrs - Ķengarags [Map & Timetable]
218 Centrs - Berģi [Map & Timetable]
220 Pļavnieki - Upesgrīvas iela [Map & Timetable]
222 Centrs - Pļavnieki [Map & Timetable]
224 Centrs - Mangaļsala [Map & Timetable]
233 Centrs - Ziepniekkalns [Map & Timetable]
233A Centrs - Ziepniekkalns [Map & Timetable]
236 Centrs - Zolitūde [Map & Timetable]
237 Centrs - Imanta [Map & Timetable]
238 Centrs - Imanta [Map & Timetable]
241 Centrs - Lidosta [Map & Timetable]
242 Centrs - Imanta [Map & Timetable]
244 Centrs - Iļģuciems [Map & Timetable]
246 Centrs - Bolderāja [Map & Timetable]
247 Bolderāja - Ziepniekkalns [Map & Timetable]
263 Mežciems - Šampēteris [Map & Timetable]
267 Centrs - Sarkandaugava [Map & Timetable]
270 Imanta - Pļavnieki [Map & Timetable]
271 P. Stradiņa slimnīca - Slimnīca "Linezers" [Map & Timetable]
276 Dārziņi - Krasta iela - Ķīpsala [Map & Timetable]
280 Centrs - Purvciems [Map & Timetable]

[Hybrid 87]

Payment types

Types
Since march 2009 Rīgas Satiksmes uses an electronical touchless payment system called "E-Talons" (e-ticket).

Yellow e-ticket

• made of cardboard, with an electronic chip;
• cannot be reloaded after the use of services paid;
• time tickets and tickets for a certain number of trips are available;
• it can be bought in ticket vending machines, kiosks of "Narvesen", "Plus punkts", "Preses apvienība", "Latvia Post" offices in Riga and ticket trade outlets of "Rīgas satiksme";
• it is convenient for passengers who do not use Riga public transport on a regular basis, including Riga guests;
• tickets are to be used within 12 months upon the moment of purchase, except when the tariff of the ticket type changes or the ticket type is cancelled and Riga municipal company "Rīgas satiksme" sets a transition period for the validity of the ticket type;
• e-tickets cannot be folded, pressed, broken, crumpled, soaked or subjected to another impact which makes them invalid for use.

Non-personalised e-ticket

• made of plastic;
• valid for 5 years;
• does not include personal data – can be used by several persons;
• available in "Rīgas satiksme" ticket trade outlets only; when buying a blue non-personalised e-ticket, a customer pays a deposit of LVL 2, which is repaid if the ticket is returned to a Riga municipal company "Rīgas satiksme" customer service centre in a technically sound and usable condition during its validity period;
• it is necessary for those who use public transport on a regular basis, including one-month tickets without discounts, and does not want to use a personalised e-ticket;
• if lost, cannot be blocked and restored;
• it can be reloaded in ticket vending machines, kiosks of "Narvesen", "Plus punkts", "Preses apvienība", "Latvia Post" offices in Riga and ticket trade outlets of "Rīgas satiksme" (Please see the list of trade outlets here.);
• designed for loading one-month tickets and tickets for a certain number of trips;
• tickets are to be used within 12 months upon the moment of purchase, except when the tariff of the ticket type changes or the ticket type is cancelled and Riga municipal company "Rīgas satiksme" sets a transition period for the validity of the ticket type;
• e-tickets cannot be folded, pressed, broken, crumpled, soaked or subjected to another impact which makes them invalid for use.

Blue personalised card

• made of plastic;
• valid for 5 years;
• attached to one holder only;
• contains holder’s data – photo, name, surname;
• can be only used by its holder;
• compulsory for those passengers who use fare discounts in public transport, except for those enjoying 100% fare discount granted by the state (except disabled persons of group 1 and 2 and disabled persons until the age of 18 years); every passenger may apply for this type of e-ticket after visiting a customer service centre and completing a special form;
• if the ticket is lost, it can be blocked and restored without losing the services paid;
• it can be reloaded in ticket vending machines, kiosks of "Narvesen", "Plus punkts", "Preses apvienība", "Latvia Post" offices in Riga, ticket trade outlets of "Rīgas satiksme" and on the Internet;
• designed for loading one-month tickets and tickets for a certain number of trips;
• tickets are to be used within 12 months upon the moment of purchase, except when the tariff of the ticket type changes or the ticket type is cancelled and Riga municipal company "Rīgas satiksme" sets a transition period for the validity of the ticket type;
• e-tickets cannot be folded, pressed, broken, crumpled, soaked or subjected to another impact which makes then invalid for use;
• the first e-ticket is issued free of charge, but if lost, making a new e-ticket will cost LVL 2.00.

Paper ticekt

• paper ticket – can be only bought in public transport, is more expensive (LVL 0.70, in night transport LVL 1.00);
• valid for one trip only – for which it has been bought;
• pet’s ticket – can be only bought in public transport from driver;
• paper tickets are meant for those passengers who have not reloaded their blue e-tickets in advance;
• it is the most convenient means of payment for those who use public transport rarely;
• disabled persons of group 1 and 2, disabled persons under the age of 18 years and persons accompanying a disabled person of group 1 or a disabled person under the age of 18 years can receive A FREE TICKET from driver without using a personalised e-ticket (they have to present a valid disabled person’s certificate to driver).

Transfer ticket

In case of technical problems, the driver issues to passengers transfer tickets which are valid for one hour in any vehicle of "Rīgas satiksme".
_________________________________________________________________
Prices
1.00LVL ~ 1.40EUR / 1.91USD / 1.21GBP
All prices show full price, no discounts are shown

One month tickets

• the ticket is valid for one month from its first registration date;
• the number of trips is unlimited;
• can be loaded only into blue e-tickets.

Prices

• Tram, one route, workdays - 14.20
• Trolleybus, one route, workdays - 14.20
• Bus, one route, workdays - 14.20
• Tram, all routes, workdays - 22.00LVL
• Trolleybus, all routes, workdays - 22.00LVL
• Bus, all routes, workdays - 22.00LVL
• Tram and trolleybus, all routes, workdays - 26.40LVL
• Tram and bus, all routes, workdays - 26.40LVL
• Trolleybus and bus, all routes, workdays - 26.40LVL
• Tram, trolleybus and bus, all routes, workdays - 34.40LVL
• Tram, one route, all days of a month - 19.50LVL
• Trolleybus, one route, all days of a month - 19.50LVL
• Bus, one route, all days of a month - 19.50LVL
• Tram, all routes, all days of a month - 29.10LVL
• Trolleybus, all routes, all days of a month - 29.10LVL
• Bus, all routes, all days of a month - 29.10LVL
• Tram and trolleybus, all routes, all days of a month - 35.60LVL
• Tram and bus, all routes, all days of a month - 35.60LVL
• Trolleybus and bus, all routes, all days of a month - 35.60LVL
• Tram, trolleybus and bus, all routes, all days of a month - 45.90LVL

Ticket for certain number of trips

• it can be bought in a blue plastic e-ticket or a cardboard yellow e-ticket; group tickets can be only loaded to a yellow ticket, 50-trip tickets – to a blue e-ticket, but trips with discounts – only to a personalised e-ticket (blue ticket with photo);
• if a customer buys, for instance, a ticket for 10 or 20 trips, a discount is applied; to be used within 12 month from the moment of purchase;
• it can be bought in a blue plastic e-ticket or a cardboard yellow e-ticket (group tickets can be only loaded to a yellow ticket, 50-trip tickets – to a blue e-ticket, but trips with discounts – only to a personalised e-ticket);

Prices

• 1 trip - 0.50
• 2 trips - 1.00LVL
• 4 trips - 2.00LVL
• 5 trips - 2.50LVL
• 10 trips - 4.75LVL
• 20 trips - 9.00LVL
• 50 trips * - 22.00LVL
• 2 trips for 2 passengers** - 2.00LVL
• 2 trips for 3 passengers** - 3.00LVL

* - Can be loaded only into blue e-tickets
** - Can be loeaded only into yellow e-tickets

Time tickets

• can be loaded only into yellow e-tickets
• valid for all routes of the transport type

Prices

• Tram, one route, 5 days - 4.20LVL
• Trolleybus, one route, 5 days - 4.20LVL
• Bus, one route, 5 days - 4.20LVL
• Tram, 5 days - 6.00LVL
• Trolleybus, 5 days - 6.00LVL
• Bus, 5 days - 6.00LVL
• Tram and trolleybus, 5 days - 7.00LVL
• Tram and bus, 5 days - 7.00LVL
• Trolleybus and bus, 5 days - 7.00LVL
• Tram, trolleybus and bus, 5 days - 9.50LVL
• Tram, trolleybus and bus, 3 days - 5.70LVL
• Tram, trolleybus and bus, 24 hours - 1.90LVL

Tickets sold in public transport

• paper ticket – can be only bought in public transport and is more expensive (LVL 0.70);
• pet’s ticket – can be only bought from driver (LVL 0.70).

Minibus ticket prices

• no e-tickets are in use;
• tickets are bought in the vehicle by the driver;
• ticket prices varies from the route - 0.50LVL to 1.00LVL.

Night transport

• the fare for all passengers is LVL 1;
• tickets are only sold by driver;
• no e-tickets are used.

[Hybrid 87]

News
_________________________________________________________________
New trams

In about a month Riga should recieve the first new low-floor trams Škoda 15T ForCity Riga

More info from skoda.cz

_________________________________________________________________
"Rīgas satiksme" to test natural gas bus on route No. 13.

Rīgas satiksme informs that a Mercedes-Benz Citaro CNG bus will be tested on bus route No. 13 linking Babīte railway station to railway station Preču-2 (near Rencēnu Street). The bus will not be painted in the traditional white-and-blue livery of Riga public transport, so Rīgas satiksme clients are encouraged to take the vehicle, as well as to call 80001919 for questions and comments.

Mercedes-Benz Citaro CNG is a low-platform bus powered by natural gas; it will be supplied with the electronic payments system. The bus is silver-coloured and bears the logotype of Rīgas satiksme, the route number being in the front part of the vehicle.

The bus to be tested was supplied to Rīgas satiksme by SIA Domenikss free of charge.

[Hybrid 87]

EDIT

[Micrav]

Nice thread on public transportation in Riga

Could you show also where are located bases of trams, tolleybuses and buses? Could be also some nice pictures ahead... Maybe also some nice pictures of places where tram runs "akmens tilts", "Bastion", "Opera", some other places I don't know...

Maybe service hangars of Riga Satiksme? Some pictures of RVR tram manufacturing halls...

[Hybrid 87]

Originally Posted by Micrav

Nice thread on public transportation in Riga

Could you show also where are located bases of trams, tolleybuses and buses? Could be also some nice pictures ahead... Maybe also some nice pictures of places where tram runs "akmens tilts", "Bastion", "Opera", some other places I don't know...

Maybe service hangars of Riga Satiksme? Some pictures of RVR tram manufacturing halls...

All is still ahead

[Tramwayman]

Love this thread and waiting for more information, especially like the maps.

[Hybrid 87]

EDIT

[olhol]

paldies liels, tev ir superiskie posti, skaisti paskatities uz visu transporyu sistemu Rīgā
esi sveicinats no Tallinas

Thanks a lot, you have wonderful posts about whole Rīga transport. greets from Tallinn

[simcard]

very informative and good thread

[Hybrid 87]

Historic facts
_________________________________________________________________
The Metro Project

The idea of the Riga underground emerged in mid seventies at the time when local town planners were drawing up the sketch of how to integrate the traffic systems into the capital. Several concepts were proposed e.g. to reconstruct the rail way or to install the high-speed tram lines. However officials regarded both proposals as inefficient. Since there was a principle or an unwritten law in USSR to build a metro in every city exceeding the population of one million people and Riga had the third highest number of trips per person in public transport in USSR it was Riga’s turn to get the tube. The commission of USSR planning experts decided to ignore the fact that Riga was short of 150 thousand people to conform to the criteria and decided on pressing on with the project. The reason given was that the natural growth and the immigration as well as the migration of workforce to implement the metro would increase the number of people living in Riga to 1 million. Initially there were three lines planned. The first one would be the ZASALAUKS-VEF borough with eight stops planned – ZASULAUKS – AURORA – DAUGAVA – CENTRALA – KIROVA (now Elizabetes) – RAINA – OSHKALNI (now Zemitani) – VEF. At the end of the 80-ies the project received keen criticism and the planned construction at the 90-ies didn’t start.

Two lines

The Metrogiprotran institute in Moscow had to design the layout of the underground, work out the economic basis of the tube and come up with detailed design of the project itself. Technical and economic basis of the project was going to be completed by 1978; another three years were scheduled for the elaboration of the project itself and another nine years to construct first eight subway stops. Hence the first underground line was supposed to be launched in 1990.
According to the 1977 public plan there has to be built two metro lines: one from Pleskodale/Zolitude up to Purvciems/Dreilini and another from Milgravis to Ziepniekkalns. The construction works were to begin on VEF – Zasulauks section having following stops: Zasulauks-Aurorra-Daugava-Centrala-Kirova-Raina-Oskalni-VEF. The flow of passengers were planned to be the most intensive here.

Another line

If we were to believe the press of that time the construction of the underground was welcomed by many citizens and the heads of the city were about to rave about it. Riga could become the “honoured” first of the Baltic republics to have a tube. However the processes of coordination were dragging on. Engineers had to come out of the problem of the unstable ground. It resulted in technical and economic grounds of the project being finished two years later – in 1980 (it was approved by the head of the metropoliten in USSR Ministry of Transport and some other officials of Riga and Moscow). Though only five years later it was when the officials stated that they have got the technical design of the projected VEF – Zasulauks line. To start up the project the preparation works had to be done – the depot, the offices and the station construction sites needed to be built and few buildings needed to be demolished. The plots on Granita Street in Bolderaja were chosen and the “grand” base was planned to be in Mezaparks. However the work on construction of metro itself could not commence before the preparation works were finished. So the construction of the metro was postponed till 1990 together with the launch of the first line till 1997. It appeared that even this rescheduling did not allow the designers to fit in given time frame. According to the available information as the result of regular delays the project was ready in 1988. But now instead of two lines there were three now: Imanta-Centrs-Jugla-Dreilini; Mezaparks-Centrs-Ziepniekkalns; Centrs-Bulli.

Battling for millions

The same year the press was writing that Riga has got 250 mil rubli to implement the project. It is worth to mention the fact that the first Baltic subway was to be most expensive one in USSR. It was estimated that the cost of one kilometre would be 25-26 mil rubli. At the time the metro in Minsk was being built at cost 15 mil rubli per kilometre.
Truth to be said that Riga top dogs did not bother much about it – the funding would come from Moscow anyway. The expenses form the Latvia SSR budget would build up from building the depot - 10-12 mil rubli, 2.5 mil for engineering block, 4-5 mil building the exits to the street level. It would result in Riga spending less than 20 millions to get the underground. Riga at its free will would not give up on this because Odessa and Omsk were keenly competing for getting finances for their underground. However the whole nation of Latvia stud up against the proposal.

The fear from global flooding

Just before the final design proposal of Riga metro saw the daylight the objections were rised againnst it. Tey were referring to the usefulness and effectiveness of such a massive and challenging project by scientific community at first place. They were arguing that this project would bring more harm than benefits to the city because the ground waters in Riga are very high, the currents are migrating and nobody could tell were are they going to be after a decade. If ground waters would come across metro lines the metros and the buildings would get flooded. The opposition of the project used this argument in their speculations while similar challenge did not put of St Peterborough to carry out the subway project. As the attitude towards the “free word” got of in mid 80-ies the press were filled with geologic and geodesic articles.
However the course of the scattered metro project discussion was inconsistent. Initially people were talking about the potential flooding, after the authors of the project were blamed for having inconvenient planning of stations and at the end there was an argument that the idea of metro is outmoded. After it was clarified that all the arguments were not valid the patriotic slogans were used saying that the project is a cover up to bring in another portion of Slavs and that would threaten the identity of Latvia and its language.
The wave of patriotic state of mind broughtin the line of unusual events – the opposition disputed the decision of Riga officials and the competence of specialists from Moscow. The green activists organised the act of protest (1987) after which the decision was made to start the work on the second technical and economical basis of the metro project. Local specialists were asked to do that (though they did not have the necessary skills and expertise) – they did not trust the specialists from Moscow.
After two months commission came to the conclusion that there is no economic or technological basis to continue withe this project. That was the end of it – 12 years of bureaucratic flattering had not given way to any useful outcome.

Perspective routes of metro (1980's)





RAIŅA, near Dailes Teatris - a bit from Prague city metro


DAUGAVA - Uvaras bulvāris simply beauty


Central station - one of the version (looks like 30's modernism)


One of the version of ZASULAUKS STATION - standart USSR style


ZASULAUKS - still quite modern in my mind


AURORA agenskalns - USSR times, but still Latvian feeling


ZASULAUKS - other version - no comments, nothing special, as would say Mr. Slakteris


VEF - USSR type reminding Kharkov (Ukraine)


CENTRS - one of the beautiful work

[Hybrid 87]

Gaisa bridge and entrance to tram depo Nr. 5 (location on Wikimapia)




Tram Depo Nr. 5 (location on Wikimapia)






Tram depo Nr. 5(location on Wikimapia)












A regional bus (private company)


Bus/Trolleybus stop sign














A typical stop


Waiting for the trolleybus








Trolleybus route nr. 7 end stop - Ķeguma iela (location on Wikimapia)


Trolleybus route nr. 7 end stop - Ķeguma iela (location on Wikimapia)


At trolleybus route nr. 11 and 13 end stop - Ieriķu iela (location on Wikimapia)


At trolleybus route nr. 11 and 13 end stop - Ieriķu iela (location on Wikimapia)


At trolleybus route nr. 11 and 13 end stop - Ieriķu iela (location on Wikimapia)


At trolleybus route nr. 11 and 13 end stop - Ieriķu iela (location on Wikimapia)


At trolleybus route nr. 11 and 13 end stop - Ieriķu iela (location on Wikimapia)


At trolleybus route nr. 11 and 13 end stop - Ieriķu iela (location on Wikimapia)


A typical route taxi on route nr. 209


At trolleybus route nr. 11 and 13 end stop - Ieriķu iela (location on Wikimapia)


At trolleybus route nr. 11 and 13 end stop - Ieriķu iela (location on Wikimapia)


At trolleybus route nr. 11 and 13 end stop - Ieriķu iela (location on Wikimapia)






At trolleybus route nr. 17 and 23 end stop - Purvciems (location on Wikimapia)


At trolleybus route nr. 17 and 23 end stop - Purvciems (location on Wikimapia)


End of route taxi route nr. 280


At trolleybus route nr. 17 and 23 end stop - Purvciems (location on Wikimapia)








Interior of Trollino 18


Interior of Trollino 18

[anjansons]

Abrenes iela

[Rebasepoiss]

It's nice to see that almost all of the old trolleybuses have been replaced with new ones in Riga. But Riga has the same problem that Tallinn has: tram tracks are in desperate need of maintenance...no, complete reconstruction. That would significantly increase the speed of trams. At the moment trams are slower than other means of transport both in Riga and Tallinn.

[Gatis]

Total reconstruction of tram lines will last at least 10 - 15 years unfortunately. Reasons - a) very expensive, total costs exceed 400 mio EUR; b) of one starts to rebuild tram tracks, there are many more problems discovered - streets need to be replanned together with sideways, pipes etc.
Thus Riga will do it step by step.

[Rebasepoiss]

Originally Posted by Gatis

Total reconstruction of tram lines will last at least 10 - 15 years unfortunately. Reasons - a) very expensive, total costs exceed 400 mio EUR; b) of one starts to rebuild tram tracks, there are many more problems discovered - streets need to be replanned together with sideways, pipes etc.
Thus Riga will do it step by step.

As long as you're doing it at all, it's fine. Tallinn needs to replace 2km of its tram tracks every year to keep the tracks in a normal condition but at the moment we're replacing only 200m on average so the tram tracks are getting worse and worse and the trams slower and slower....