Instead of the bus station in the center of the capital, the final stops for such transport are planned to be moved to new mobility centers closer to the city limits, where passengers can transfer to urban public transport. The council believes this will help relieve the center, reports LSM+.
The construction of such a mobility center should soon be completed in Kengarags.
"Of course, for all international buses or those from distant regions — from Kuldiga or Daugavpils — nothing will change. They will go all the way. But we are talking about the Riga region. Here we need to change the system. We need to create an internal transport network around Riga. This way, we will reduce the pressure on the Central Bus Station," explains the idea by Vice Mayor Maris Sprindžuks.
Since the state has cut subsidies for regional transport by 30%, the leadership of Riga envisions that Rīgas satiksme buses will need to pick up passengers from nearby municipalities — Marupe, Salaspils, Adazi, and others. Suburban buses could provide circular routes between regional centers, bypassing the capital.
"The Marupe region can improve the connection between Piņķi and Jaunmarupe, where public transport does not currently operate," Sprindžuks gives as an example.
However, such ideas are not very popular among bus passengers.
"For example, there are people with disabilities. They will be dropped off somewhere on the outskirts. And they are not from Riga, they do not know where to go. In my opinion, this is a bad idea," comments Emils.
The management of the Riga International Bus Station notes that they are currently managing the flow of buses well, but the new idea from the city council may affect passengers.
With the idea of reforming suburban transport, Sprindžuks went to a meeting at the Ministry of Transport. A final decision has not yet been made.
