Residents of Latvia need not fear an increase in the cost of travel on regional buses and trains for now. Minister of Transport Rihards Kozlovskis stated that a price increase for tickets is not planned until autumn, although the financial problems in the industry remain unresolved.
The cost of tickets for regional passenger transport will remain unchanged for at least the next few months. This was announced by the Minister of Transport, Rihards Kozlovskis, during the broadcast of the program "Morning Panorama."
According to the minister, the issue of raising tariffs will not be considered until autumn.
"This will definitely not happen until autumn," Kozlovskis stated, adding that a clearer picture regarding further decisions may emerge by the end of summer.
At the same time, the minister acknowledged that serious problems persist in the industry. He instructed the Road Transport Administration to present proposals for resolving the current situation by next week.
The discussion was prompted by concerns from carriers about rising costs. The Latvian Association of Passenger Carriers had previously urged the ministry to urgently address the funding issues in the industry.
Carriers point out that fuel costs have increased in recent months, and the unstable situation in the Middle East is putting additional pressure on the market, affecting global energy prices.
According to the industry, the government needs to ensure a mechanism for compensating expenses and timely index long-term contracts of carriers in accordance with the changing economic conditions.
It is important to note that this is not only about the profits of transport companies. Carriers warn that without additional funding, the availability of public transport in the regions may be at risk. The association emphasizes that for many residents of the regions, buses remain the only way to get to work, medical institutions, schools, and government services.
The President of the Latvian Association of Passenger Carriers, Ivo Ošenieks, stated that the problem cannot be postponed indefinitely, as the consequences may directly affect passengers.
While the authorities promise to maintain current tariffs, by the end of summer, the government will likely have to determine how to compensate carriers for rising costs and avoid a deterioration in transport communication in the regions.
Thus, a rise in ticket prices is not expected in the coming months, but the discussion about funding public transport is far from over.
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