Joint train operator necessary for international and regional transportation on Rail Baltica route - RB Rail

  • 2022-05-19
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA, May 19 (LETA) - The most efficient solution would be if the Baltic states attracted a joint train operator that would provide both international and regional transportation, said Aigars Driksna, executive director and chairman of the board of Baltic joint venture RB Rail, in an interview with LETA.

The Rail Baltica route from the very start has been planned for different kinds of transport. There will be international fast trains, connecting the large cities, and regional trains. There will be regional train across countries that will be slower than the fast train and will have more stops. There will be local trains that will make the route from Bauska to Salacgriva.

"In my opinion, the most efficient solution would be if the three Baltic states made a joint tender for a joint service as then we can manage transport in the whole stretch of 870 kilometers. Otherwise, each country will have to organize traffic in its own territory, including the full cycle of train service and maintenance," said Driksna.

"We know that the strategic direction is for the railway to be the backbone of public transport, which means that we should move people from road transport to trains in order to ensure faster, safer and environmentally-friendlier traffic," he said.

As reported, Rail Baltica is a double track, European standard 1,435 mm gauge electrified railroad for passenger and freight transport to be built from Tallinn to the Lithuanian-Polish border. The overall length of the railroad will be 870 kilometers, with train speeds reaching a maximum of 240 kilometers per hour once it is completed and running.

The initial cost of the project was estimated at EUR 5.8 billion, with a portion of the costs being financed through EU funds. Rail Baltica project should be completed by 2026.