LATVIA: The Road Transport Administration has launched a survey to gauge market interest in providing domestic passenger rail services.
The RTA said this was the first survey of this type in Latvia, and would meet the requirements of EC Regulation 1370/2007 which sets out rules for the direct or award or tendering of contracts for the provision of public transport services.
A future tender for the operation of Latvian passenger train services could cover all services, or split operations by route or into electric and non-electric packages. RTA notes that the introduction of battery trains on the Rīga – Sigulda route is planned for August 2026.
A 10-year operating agreement running from January 2025 is envisaged.
Tenderers would be required to be licensed as a railway undertaking, with at least five years of experience providing passenger rail services, annual turnover of €5m in the past three years, and a ‘passenger satisfaction index’ of at least 80%.
Applications must be submitted by April 14 2022.
