Transport Ministry working on Cabinet decree suspending regular passenger transport services to and from Russia and Belarus

RIGA - The Transport Ministry is working on a Cabinet of Ministers decree on suspension of regular passenger transport services to and from Russia and Belarus, the Progressives party informed LETA.

Saeima on Thursday turned down National Alliance's request asking Transport Minister Atis Svinka (Progressives) to explain the actions of the government and the Ministry of Transport in still allowing public passenger transport to and from Russia and Belarus.

Transport Minister Atis Svinka (Progressives) says that he has started systematic work to reduce the threat posed by Russia and Belarus by not renewing passenger transport licenses, discontinuing irregular passenger transport services, and starting the process of suspending regular passenger transport services.

The minister explains that there are three types of passenger transport in Latvia - non-regular passenger transport, regular passenger transport, and passenger transport in transit through Latvia.

Non-regular passenger transport services to Russia and Belarus, both direct and in transit, have been banned since November 1 this year. The ban applies to all passenger transport companies, regardless of their or their vehicles' country of registration.

As for regular passenger transport services - three regular bus routes to Russia and three to Belarus - a draft Cabinet decree is being drafted, said Svinka. This is necessary for imposing restrictions on international passenger transport by bus, canceling or not extending the existing licenses.

Svinka explains that the Cabinet decree will be based on security considerations and will provide for the possibility to reconsider the decision if the security situation changes, but "it has to be legally correct in order to avoid financial losses for the state".

As a long-term solution, the Transport Ministry is considering amending the relevant regulations to include security risk assessment as a basis for suspending licenses.

Svinka also says that there are 29 regular bus routes to Russia and Belarus operated from Lithuania, while in Estonia passengers can only travel to Russia in transit (mainly to St Petersburg). A coordinated approach between the Baltic countries and the European Union to passenger transport restrictions is important to ensure that the restrictions have a lasting impact on regional security, believes the minister.