Riga City Council approves free public transportation for school children

RIGA - During the session of the Traffic and Transport Affairs Committee on April 10, Riga City Council members supported Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs’ (Harmony Center) motion to introduce free public transportation for school children in grades 1-12 as of Sept. 1, 2012, reports LETA.

The opposition, however, emphasized that vocational education students should also be able to use Riga public transportation free of charge.

Public transportation is currently free of charge for all children in grades 1-4. Those in grades 5-12 have a 50 percent discount. Usakovs proposed that this group be entitled to free public transportation as well.

Municipal public transportation company Rigas Satiksme head Leons Bemhens informed that to implement the motion, it will be necessary to raise the company's subsidy by 3.17 million lats (4.51 million euros) and Rigas Satiksme will also require additional 1.17 million lats as of September 1.