Entrepreneurs, whose task is to provide quality services and make a profit, have been turned into a social service that helps people at their own expense without receiving any compensation, public media reports.
In such a situation, Latvian commercial passenger carriers have found themselves unwillingly. Instead of compensation, they have received only promises from the government for over a year, and are now ready to turn to the courts.
In recent years, alongside state-subsidized passenger bus services, commercial routes have gradually been introduced in Latvia. However, the government has also imposed an obligation on these entrepreneurs to transport passengers entitled to discounts or even for free, including large families, students, disabled individuals, and pensioners. According to European Union regulations, the government is required to compensate carriers for the costs of such social assistance.
"When we started commercial transport, we received very clear signals from the Road Transport Directorate and the Ministry of Transport that the situation regarding the compensations owed to us would be resolved in the near future," confirmed Aldis Kibens, a board member of Lux Express Latvia.
More than a year has passed, but the government has not fulfilled its promise. For example, during this time, Lux Express has transported over 70,000 passengers entitled to benefits. The company spent about half a million euros from its own funds on this - and has not received any compensation.
"Essentially, we are currently paying for the social functions of the state, which the state itself should provide and finance," noted Kibens.
On Wednesday, the Saeima's Economic Committee once again attempted to address the issue of compensation through amendments to the public transport services law. However, the amendments proposed by the Ministry of Transport were deemed a legal failure by the deputies, and the consideration of the bill was postponed for a week. Deputies and ministry officials are arguing about who is to blame for the delay in compensation. The ministry claims it cannot make payments until the Saeima adopts the necessary legal regulations.
