Decision to close railway stations is strategically wrong - Linkaits

RIGA - The closure of six railway stations is a strategically wrong step, former transport minister Talis Linkaits (Conservatives) told LETA, commenting on the decision of the Public Transport Council.

In his opinion, such a decision is strategically wrong, as it is in the interest of the state and society to increase people's willingness to use train for their daily journeys and to reduce the flow of road traffic in Riga and Pieriga.

At the same time, he added that train stations Rumbula, Darzini, Cena and Incupe are being used quite actively and have the potential to be used more in the future, when traffic will be more intense because of the new trains.

Linkaits pointed out that last year, for example, the data did not show low passenger flows. 

Commenting on the Public Transport Council's idea that in the future the stations could be renovated and integrated into the public transport system of the Riga metropolitan area, Linkaits said that the change of habits should be managed very carefully, as it takes time for people to get used to new things.

As reported, due to the low passenger flow, the Public Transport Council has decided to close the railway stations Cena on the Jelgava line, Kudra on the Tukums line, Darzini, Rumbula and Kaibala on the Aizkraukle line and Incupe on the Saulkrasti line by the end of this year.

By the end of 2023, Latvijas Dzelzcels railway company will modernize 48 elevated passenger platforms and related infrastructure on the Riga-Krustpils, Riga-Skulte, Riga-Tukums and Riga-Jelgava railway lines.