"Rīgas satiksme" opens low-floor tram repair and maintenance shop
The costs of building the new shop amounted to LVL 8.7 M, which was a part of the funding allocated for the low-floor tram implementation project. The shop is 102 meters long and has three rail track lines, which allows repair and maintenance of up to six low-floor trams simultaneously.
One of the lines is equipped with a special lathe for low-floor tram bogies, which has been purpose made by German equipment manufacturer Hegenscheidt-MFD. The lathe is built into the floor of the shop, which enables lathe-turning of tram wheels without taking the bogies off, when a tram stands on a special platform.
Another line has special lift platforms to ensure a more convenient access of personnel to units located on the tram roof. The new shop is designed to perform maintenance and necessary repair of trams in conformity with the manufacturer’s requirements. There is also a spacious warehouse for spare parts. The shop’s employees are provided with comfortable offices and welfare premises. The new shop meets all the latest requirements concerning construction technology and equipment.
Building the new shop, which started early in 2012, was a part of the first stage of implementing the low-floor tram. The construction works included three stages, the contractor of the 1st stage was SIA "Velve", of the 2nd stage – SIA "Arčers", and of the 3rd stage – SIA "Moduls Rīga".
"Rīgas satiksme" runs a fleet of 26 low-floor trams, including 20 low-floor three-section trams, which are 31.4 metres long and have a maximum capacity of 318 passengers, and 6 four-section trams, which are 41 metres long and have a maximum capacity of 432 passengers. All the trams have automatic doors for passengers to get on and off, and are manufactured by "Škoda" (Czech Republic).
All trams provide an easy access for persons with limited moving functions, including those sitting in wheelchairs. To make it easier for such passengers to get on the tram without using the tram-stop platform, there is a manually-driven hydraulic lift with pliable platform near the front passenger door. The platform may be lowered to the carriageway level.
All elements and units of the tram are designed for use in external environment temperatures ranging from -400C to 400C. The tram is designed to run on a 1524 mm wide rail track with an exterior contact system wire having nominal voltage of 600VDC.
For more information about the services provided by "Rīgas satiksme", public transport routes and schedules, types of tickets and other news, please visit our webpage at www.rigassatiksme.lv, social networks "twitter", "facebook", "draugiem.lv" or call our toll-free information phone 80001919.