The companies Pasažieru vilciens and Rīgas satiksme (RS) continue to work on the single ticket. The "pilot project" is gradually gaining traction among the masses, although full integration of transport systems is still far off. In 2026, for example, municipal transport will require a subsidy of 9,603 euros and 59 cents…
Oh, I’ll take a ride!
Elena Gaile, head of the passenger and commercial transport department, reported at a meeting of the Riga City Council's Committee on Communication and Transport that the fare for transfers from trains to public transport is 2 euros. Last year, an average of 3,000 people used it per month, and this year it’s already 3,500. The municipal RS receives 89 cents from each ticket sold, along with 11 cents in VAT.
The operation of a single ticket within zone A, for example, allows for travel within 90 minutes from Salaspils to Bolderāja – or from Bulduri to Baloži.
Your author inquired about the purpose of the "mobility point" at Ziemelblazma, such a beautiful ring at the eponymous train station, when no public transport stops there? Ms. Gaile replied that the stops for buses 11 and 24 are located 50 meters away. And in general, Riga has excellent public transport that runs much more frequently than trains! The chair of the relevant committee, Marta Kotello ("Progressives"), clarified that they intended to launch bus 24A but then changed their minds…
Five Minutes for Drop-off
"The idea of a single ticket aligns with development plans," E. Gaile revealed a broad perspective. The Ministry of Communications is also involved. Why? "So that people can use public transport more often instead of cars."
In this context, another question from your author is logical – why is the parking at Ziemelblazma limited to 5 minutes? After all, within that time frame, it’s not even easy to drop off an elderly person, help them to the platform, and get them on the train. It would make a lot of sense to create a park-and-ride facility here, so that people from Mangalsala, for example, could leave their personal vehicles and switch to the train to the Center…
It is worth noting that the single ticket is only for those who can purchase it through the Vivi mobile application. The QR code must be activated at the optical reading device (for trains) or by conductors (for diesel trains).
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