“Rīgas satiksme” is preparing project application to receive co-funding from the European Union Cohesion Fund for the purpose of modernizing the 5^th and the 7^th tram lines, by adapting sections of these tram routes to low-floor trams and improve environmental accessibility for elderly people, disabled people and parents with children. The application has to be submitted by 12^th of April and the project is due to be started this year and completed by 2023.   

Vilnis Ķirsis, the deputy Chairman of the Riga City Council: “In any city comfortable, quick and safe public transport is an instrument for relieving the central part of the city from traffic jams and environmental pollution. Such approach is also encouraged by the financial instruments available from the European Union, which are simultaneously oriented towards both improvement of the urban environment and the population mobility. The project developed by “Rīgas satiksme” for the modernization of the 5^th and the 7^th tram lines will, after implementation, raise the quality bar of the public transport in several neighbourhoods of the city and encourage better urban environment. Successful implementation of this project is also vital to continue  restoring the reputation of “Rīgas satiksme” and prove oneself as a reliable partner in implementation of the European Union project.”

Džineta Innusa, the Chairman of the Board of “Rīgas satiksme”: “Tram is the backbone of the urban public transport, therefore, it is crucial to ensure environmental accessibility of this type of public transport for every passenger. It is particularly important that the modernization of the tram infrastructure that is so needed in Riga will be made possible with co-funding from the European Union Cohesion Fund. The  project includes raising the tram stop platforms to facilitate movement for elderly people, passengers in wheelchairs as well as parents with baby prams. Any of our clients will benefit from modern and adequate infrastructure, which will also allow to increase the speed of the public transport in the future.”

Within the framework of the project it is planned to modernize the 7^th tram route line in the section from Ausekļa circle to Radio circle and from the Central Market to the terminal stop “Ķengarags”. It is planned to reconstruct and raise several tram stop platforms to ensure the benefits of low-floor trams and environmental accessibility for every passenger. In around  8,6 km long section the catenary will be adapted for low-floor trams and cable networks will be replaced to increase power capacity.

The project also envisages reconstruction of infrastructure in around 2 km long 5^th tram route section from the intersection of Slokas street and Jūrmalas gatve to the terminal stop  “Iļģuciems”, by adapting this tram line for low-floor tram requirements and ensuring construction of tram stop platforms that meet the requirements for low-floor trams.  In the 5^th tram route tracks will also be reconstructed in the Slokas street section from intersection with Pulka street to the intersection with Jūrmalas gatve.

Tracks will also be reconstructed within the framework of the Riga tram modernization project at the intersection of 11. novembra krastmala and 13. janvāra street for the purpose of shortening the time necessary to cross the intersection, thus reducing  the traffic jams. A switch control system will be installed, increasing the level of tram traffic safety and providing switch control options with remote control.

It should be noted that implementation of the project is planned within the framework of the 4.5.1.1 SSO measure “To develop more environmentally friendly public transport infrastructure (rail transport)” of the 4.5.1 specific support objective (SSO)  “To develop more environmentally friendly public transport infrastructure” of the Activity program “Growth and employment”, which stipulates that the project activities shall be oriented towards encouraging the use of environmentally friendly public transport and increase of passengers in environmentally friendly public transport. In addition, the project of “Rīgas satiksme” also has several objectives related to environmental sustainability:

• to ensure environmental accessibility for any passenger – elderly passengers, disabled people and parents with baby prams;
• to increase the number of public transport users who use environmentally friendly public transport;
• to increase the speed of the tram traffic;
• to reduce traffic jams;
• to reduce the impact of private cars on environment and air quality;
• to improve traffic experience in public transport by raising quality standards.

Annually the 7^th tram line transports nearly 6 million passengers, and this is the second most intensively used tram route in Riga, following the 1^st tram route. Based on current experience,  ensuring the low-floor tram traffic would increase the number of transported tram passengers by 6% on average. This shows that people prefer public transport, which is comfortable, modern and easily accessible. Whereas, the 5^th tram route is the fourth most intensively used route, where more than 3 million passengers are transported on average per year.

Total project costs are estimated at 43.7 million euros, of which 35.97 million will be provided from the European Union Cohesion Fund and 7.7 million euros will be the co-funding of “Rīgas satiksme”.

Currently the low-floor trams are running on the 1^st and 11^th tram routes. By the end of 2021 “Rīgas satiksme” will have 46 low-floor trams, which will run on the aforementioned tram routes.

To communicate with «Rīgas satiksme», please use our hotline 20361862 or email to info@rigassatiksme.lv. You can also contact us on our website at www.rigassatiksme.lv, section «Contact us» («Sazinies ar mums»), where everybody can submit his/her application.