Council gives green light to Riga transport discounts

Riga City Council has given the green light to controverisal new regulations on public transport discounts in Riga, reports LETA.

As a result, Riga residents aged up to 75 will receive a 50 percent discount on public transport from Jan. 1, 2014.

The discount will apply only to persons who possess a personalized e-ticket. Those who do not, and those who buy tickets from public transport drivers, will have to pay a full fare of EUR 1.20.

On Feb. 1, persons who own real estate in Riga and pay real estate tax will also be entitled to public transport discounts in Riga.

Opposition members criticized the amendments at an emergency meeting on Nov. 19, saying the new provisions would reduce the number of public transport passengers and increase traffic congestion in the city. Sarmite Elerte (Unity) noted that municipal public transport company "Rigas satiksme's" budget exceeded the amount that Riga City Council paid in benefits threefold, and the funding on the development of the cycling infrastructure - 656 times.

Counsellor Andris Paruks (All For Latvia-For Fatherland And Freedom/LNNK) said the planned discounts were disproportionate and discriminatory, as previously indicated by the minister of environmental protection and regional development.

Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs (Harmony Center) said, on the other hand, that the current fares were discriminatory against Rigans, because they had to subsidize public transport for all passengers.

A total of 31 Riga City Council members, representing Harmony Center and Honor to Serve Riga, voted for the amendments. All 17 opposition members voted against the amendments.

The amendments will now be submitted to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, which will present its opinion within thirty days. If the ministry concludes that the amendments are unacceptable, the matter will likely end up in court.

All public transport discounts in Riga are covered by the municipality by allotting subsidies to "Rigas satiksme" from the Riga budget. Next year, these subsidies are estimated to cost Riga 109.5 million euros or 77 million lats.

Riga City Council's Traffic Department has said that the discounts will result in a higher number of Riga residents - and therefore higher personal income tax revenue for the city.

Riga City Council confirmed on Oct. 7 that, as of Jan. 1 next year, residents who have declared Riga as their place of residence will have to pay 0.42 lats (0.60 euros) per one ride in Riga public transport system. The fare for all other passengers will be 0.84 lats or 1.20 euros The current fare is 0.50 lats.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development said that the amendments were unacceptable, and that a person's place of residence must not be the sole criterion when introducing public transport discounts.

Up to 10,000 people also signed an online petition opposing the change in transport fares last month.  

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