The Board informs about the events (August 12-25)
RP SIA “Rīgas satiksme” keeps on working normally, yet it should be taken into account that this is the time of vacations and the implementation of some projects may drag on. Although the new version of the company’s 2019 budget was approved on August 8 only, preliminary work on the preparation of the RP SIA “Rīgas satiksme” 2020 budget has already started. One of the questions asked about the budget is: how much did you manage to save? It is impossible to give a definite answer in this particular case, because in 2019, a very optimistic budget including significant optimization measures was passed. This budget was implemented and revised, and the compensation from Riga City Council was reduced by additional 6.5 million euros. It should be also noted that RP SIA “Rīgas satiksme” keeps on revising the structure of expenditure and income, and this work is due to be accomplished in 2020.
The Board of RP SIA “Rīgas satiksme” wants to point out that in the last two weeks some information about the company was presented in a tendentious and distorted manner. First, RP SIA “Rīgas satiksme” reminds that the service it provides is based on the principle of three means of public transportation or fleets: trams, trolleybuses and buses. The two first ones ensure the conformity of Riga public transport to zero-emission or low-emission requirements. RP SIA “Rīgas satiksme” hopes to finish negotiations with Czech company “Škoda Electric” and to reach the final agreement, which will make it possible to complete the renovation of the whole trolleybus fleet in 2020. All 10 trolleybuses with hydrogen engines have been already put into service, which had been delayed due to reasons beyond the carrier’s and the manufacturer’s control. Thus RP SIA “Rīgas satiksme” does not plan to renounce from trolleybuses in the foreseeable future, and this means of transportation will remain one of the pillars of public transport in Riga city.
As regards the resounding information about the thriftiness of Riga municipality and RP SIA “Rīgas satiksme”, it must be noted that the company did not make thrifty investments. Just the contrary: the company implemented purposeful renovation of fleet for all types of public transportation and also invested in railroad infrastructure. Riga would stand much closer to opening new public transport routes, unless some government bodies took decisions without clear motivation. It is not explained to the public what “fiscal space” means, and a successfully operating public transport company is demonized instead. Probably it should be explained to the public that this only means that the government will be unable to increase the budget deficit and take unreasonable loans for strange projects. Those Latvians who use Riga public transport, most of which is renovated, can see it for themselves.
On August 15, the Board of RP SIA “Rīgas satiksme” decided that the implementation of the decision to optimize one-hour tickets and tickets for a certain number of trips should be included in the general project of changes in the system of tickets, fare discounts and tariffs. The decision will enable more precise forecasts of the impact the optimization of the ticket assortment will produce on the company and passengers, as well as a more accurate definition of requirements for the ticket system in the near future and on its functionality in the long run.
At the meeting of August 22, the Board of RP SIA “Rīgas satiksme” considered several decisions that are significant for the company and are related to the development of the parking network. The Board supported the continuation of the pilot project that provides that on some routes passengers will get on vehicles through front doors, the interim report of the working group about the possibility of using smaller vehicles on regular routes, as well as the situation with attracting employees. The Board agreed to hold the next meeting on September 3 and to invite heads of several structural units and sectors in order to listen to their proposals and opinions regarding workforce attraction solutions.
You can find more information about services provided by „Rīgas satiksme”, public transport schedules, types of tickets and other news on website www.rigassatiksme.lv or in social networks – „twitter” and „facebook”.
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