"Rīgas satiksme" presents its first low-floor tram : Current information : Rīgas satiksme

Back to list Print 15. Apr. 2010

"Rīgas satiksme" presents its first low-floor tram

On Thursday, April 15, Riga’s first low-floor tram was presented to media. The new tram will start carrying passengers in route No. 6 early this summer. In total, Riga city is due to receive 20 low-floor trams manufactured by Škoda (Czech Republic).

Riga Mayor Nils Ušakovs: "This is the first new tram in Riga since 1991. However quite expensive, it undoubtedly belongs to the new generation of public transport, based on state-of-the-art technologies and very convenient for passengers. I hope that the new tram will serve for a long time and passengers will be very satisfied with it. This is the first step towards updating the rolling stock of Riga trams; we shall evaluate all pros and cons and take them into consideration when making further decisions."

Under the contract signed in 2008 between RP SIA "Rīgas satiksme" and the contest winner, "Škoda Transportation", Riga will get 20 low-floor trams by January 2011. The total amount of the tram purchase contract without extra equipment is EUR 52 million.

Tomaš Krsek, "Škoda Transportation" Chairman of the Board: "The tram we have just supplied is the first low-floor tram that had been specially manufactured for Riga on the so-called broad-gauge platform. It was a very interesting challenge to make a tram fitting in Riga public transport system, we had to take into account several conditions set by the customer. The first safety tests evidenced that the quality of the tram meets the highest standards, so the first tram will be able to start carrying passengers already early this summer. The other 19 trams will be supplied to Riga in accordance with the contract signed."

Tram is an environment friendly transport and one of the fastest means of public transportation. In Riga, the average speed of tram traffic is 16.49 km/h, the total length of tramways is 99.53 km, and the number of tram-stops reaches 244.

Leons Bemhens, "Rīgas satiksme" Chairman of the Board: "At present, "Rīgas satiksme" runs 252 tramcars, every day they carry thousands of passengers in 9 tram routes. The new low-floor tram with capacity of 300 passengers will be launched in tram route No. 6 linking the Radio circle to Jugla. The new tram consists of three interconnected sections. It is provided with a lift platform for disabled persons, as well as special ventilation and air conditioning equipment. The new tram is 31.64 metres long and fully replaces the old two-car tram sections. I wish nice trips to all passengers of Riga public transport!".