Once again, passengers of "Vivi" were left in the dark, freezing on the platforms of the Tukums line: the train was delayed by more than half an hour, and the buildings of the former stations are now closed...
"Latvijas Avīze" checked the situation regarding the accessibility of waiting rooms in low air temperature conditions at the "Cukurfabrika" station (the electrified railway line Riga - Jelgava).
A new, presumably energy-efficient station building was recently constructed at this station. The platforms have also been reconstructed, and various safety barriers, signs, and indicators have been installed. Glazed canopies have been set up in each direction - similar to bus stops. Near the station, there is a crossing, and it is evident that reconstruction work is ongoing.
All for the safety of traffic! But what about passenger comfort?
The ticket office window is closed - as is the door to the waiting room. It turns out that the only place to warm up while waiting for a train is the public toilet. With limited working hours, two breaks, and for a fee - 40 cents for adults and 10 cents for schoolchildren.
When asked why "priority" passengers in train transport should freeze on the platforms, it seems that after long "working group meetings," the head of the "Vivi" communication and marketing department, Sigita Paule, was tasked with responding.
""Vivi" rents 32 waiting rooms in station buildings from the state-owned company "Latvijas dzelzceļš" and two more from municipalities. The necessity of renting premises at each station is assessed individually based on several criteria: the technical condition of the premises (availability of heating, state of facilities, etc.), accessibility of the environment, passenger flow, and the presence of a canopy on the platform or at the station building at the stop. Premises that are technically worn out, where heating and facilities cannot be provided, and where there is already a canopy at the stop are not maintained as waiting rooms. Their rental, heating, electricity supply, cleaning, and daily maintenance require significant financial resources. Available funding is limited, so it must be used responsibly and proportionately, primarily ensuring a reliable and quality transportation service," Paule stated.
As the March sun and spring are on the horizon, it turned out that the passenger carrier has indeed begun negotiations with LDz about the possibility of opening waiting rooms seasonally at certain stations - during the cold period - if it is technically feasible and economically justified. Maintaining premises with very low passenger flow throughout the year, according to the passenger carrier, would be disproportionate to the financial resources invested. But what are these costs compared to other investments in railway infrastructure that continue unabated? The representative of "Vivi" is not allowed to disclose this. Perhaps she does not know, or perhaps she is simply ashamed to reveal it.
