Regional Transport Subsidies Lack Millions of Euros 0 10

Additional necessary funding will only be requested in the fourth quarter, and until then, passengers in the regions will be left wondering if they will be able to get to school or work by the end of the year.

The Road Transport Administration (RTA) has been in constant conflict with service providers - bus companies - for several years. The available state funding for public transport services this year is similar to that of 2025 - 93.78 million euros. Within this budget, public transport services by buses and trains must be ensured, compensations to cities must be paid, and subsidies for disadvantaged passengers must be covered.

The total length of the regional subsidized route network in 2025 amounted to 74.33 million km, which, according to the concluded contracts, provided for compensation of losses to carriers in the amount of 89.2 million euros. An additional 13.4 million euros was paid for transport organized by cities of state significance, and 850,000 euros was allocated to cover losses of commercial carriers for disadvantaged passengers. As a result, the total amount of funding allocated by the state for public transport services in 2025 reached 103.42 million euros, but it was insufficient, and additional funds had to be sought. This led to disputes between state institutions and carriers, warning strikes, and caused uncertainty and stress among passengers.

What will happen this year? This week, after a meeting with the leadership of the RTA, the head of the industry situation, Ivo Ošenieks, stated that the proposed solution is a "weak consolation" and will not improve the situation overall. Carriers will consider the possibility of holding another protest after individual negotiations with the RTA.