On March 18, the Management Board of “Rīgas satiksme” had a planned meeting with Mr. Zdeněk Majer, the Vice-president of Škoda Transportation. During the meeting the parties discussed topical issues pertaining to cooperation as well as possible solutions for organization of further collaboration. The parties agreed on continuing consultations in the second half of April in order to consider opinions delivered by the expert commission which is to gather for a regular session on March 25.

On March 20, at the premises of “Rīgas satiksme” (35 Vestienas Street) the managers of structural departments of the capital company gave presentations to the Management Board and other colleagues as to the operational outcomes in 2018. The Management Board wishes to extend its gratitude to the colleagues for their truly interesting and information-rich presentations and apologize that due to changes in the daily agenda, not all Board Members were able to attend the meeting.

March 20 was rather important for “Rīgas satiksme” due to other matters too, all of them of high importance to the capital company. Dr.iur. E. Saulītis, the Chairperson of the Management Board of “Rīgas satiksme”, J. Meirāns, a Member of the Management Board, V. Zaķis, Acting Director of Service Development and Sales, and R. Auziņš, the Head of the Route Department, attended a meeting of the Passenger Commercial Transportation Licensing Commission of the Council of Riga in order to finalize the capital company’s public transportation prime cost harmonization procedure (as per the transportation agreement) before submitting a compensation request to the Finance Committee of the Council of Riga for the purposes of developing 2019 budget.  Due to the wide variety of affairs and requests for specific financial information, the Commission announced a break until 4:00p.m. After the break, the meeting of the Commission was attended by J. Švanders, a Member of the Management Board of “Rīgas satiksme”, L. Hodaseviča, the Acting Financial Director of the capital company, and G. Janitena, the Head of the Economic Division, who finalized the prime cost harmonization procedure. We give our thanks to the Members of the Commission and its Chairman, Mr. V. Faļkovs.

On that day, Dr.iur. E. Saulītis, the Chairperson of the Management Board of “Rīgas satiksme”, and J. Meirāns, a Member of the Management Board, attended the Traffic and Transport Committee of the Council of Riga where they gave an account as to the further cooperation plans with Partnership “Rīgas mikroautobusu satiksme”. As of now, no decisions are made in this regard and negotiations with Partnership “Rīgas mikroautobusu satiksme” are still ongoing in order to agree on mutually beneficial conditions for organization of the transport network and passenger flow, benefiting the users of public transport in Riga.

At the invitation of the Chairperson of the Council of Riga, the Members of the Management Board of Riga Local Government LLC “Rīgas satiksme” on March 20 had their weekly meeting with Mr. N. Ušakovs, where they discussed matters important to the city and capital company.

On March 21 there was a meeting of the Management Board of “Rīgas satiksme” where matters concerning further development of the company were on the agenda; thereafter, J. Švanders, a Member of the Management Board of “Rīgas satiksme”, L. Hodaseviča, the Acting Financial Director, and G. Janitena, the Head of the Economic Division, held a meeting with J. Klotiņš and Ģ. Lapiņš, Members of the Council of Riga, concerning calculation of the prime cost of passenger transportation in public transport and the overall financial condition of the company.

On March 22 J. Švanders, a Member of the Management Board of “Rīgas satiksme” who is responsible for financial management, L. Hodaseviča, the Acting Financial Director, and G. Janitena, the Head of the Economic Division, attended the Council of Riga, Financial Committee where they participated in the procedure of approving the 2019 budget of the City of Riga Local Government, giving answers to questions pertaining to the capital company’s compensation request for public transportation. To provide answers on matters exceeding the confines of the budgetary request, the Commission’s meeting was also attended by Dr.iur. E. Saulītis, the Chairperson of the Management Board of “Rīgas satiksme”, who provided answers to such questions.

Throughout the week there was intensive communication, led by A. Krūze, a Member of the Management Board of “Rīgas satiksme”, with the City Development Department of the Council of Riga; Traffic Department of the Council of Riga; Property Department of the Council of Riga; and the City of Riga Construction Board concerning public consultation presentation on the Skanste Tram construction plans to be given on 26/03/2019 at 5:00p.m. at the Session Hall of the Council of Riga (1 Ratslaukums, Riga). More information on the consultation and its materials: https://ej.uz/1yka. We invite to participate all who are interested in the topic.

Overall, the week was eventful and with a shared purpose of stabilization of the capital company’s operations. However, there were also certain unpleasantries encountered, for example, the notice issued by the Competition Council about opening a violation case concerning a cartel matter (so-called “Nano-water Case”) where, within criminal proceedings, “Rīgas satiksme” is now considered a victim and has submitted its calculations concerning losses possibly suffered by the capital company. Another unpleasantry was the notice given by the Road Transport Administration concerning possible suspension of compensation for transportation of disabled persons paid to Riga Local Government LLC “Rīgas satiksme”.

It must be noted that “Rīgas satiksme” is not contractually engaged with the Road Transport Administration concerning the aforementioned transportation services in the City of Riga and this matter is addressed by the Traffic Department of the Council of Riga. However, “Rīgas satiksme” has always had active cooperation with the Road Transport Administration in terms of addressing this matter. At the same time, it is important to note that, according to data at disposal of “Rīgas satiksme” concerning the overall passenger transportation flow in the city, no rights have been breached. However, the Road Transport Administration’s inquiry to the law enforcement authorities requesting to carry out an investigation is fully understandable because “Rīgas satiksme” and “Rīgas mikroautobusu satiksme” are only providers of passenger transportation services with not public powers or authorities granted to certification authorities. We are ready to provide these authorities with all information at our disposal as to the subject-matter.

The next week for the capital company will start with a meeting with its long-term auditor (auditing company LLC Pricewaterhaus Coopers) and representatives of bus suppliers Solaris from LLC Solaris Bus & Coach Latvija. However, March 28 will be especially important as on this date it is expected to approve the 2019 budget of the City of Riga Local Government.

You can find more information on „Rīgas satiksme” services, route schedules, types of tickets and other news www.rigassatiksme.lv and also in social networks, such as Twitter and Facebook.