New railway connection from Riga to Tartu set to start only in October

#NordicNews on train traffic and Estonia

Cross-border train project brings hope for increased Baltic mobility

Estonia and Latvia have agreed to establish a cross-border train connection from Riga to Tartu as soon as possible. According to information from the Latvian train operator Pasažieru Vilciens (PV), the service is expected to commence in October 2024.

The delay in implementation is attributed to a significant shortage: there is simply no train available on the Latvian side that could shuttle along the route. As a temporary solution, it has been agreed to allow Latvian personnel to operate Estonian trains from endpoint to endpoint.

This delay is likely a disappointment for many Latvians who had hoped to travel by train to events related to Tartu's year as the European Capital of Culture. Although the Capital of Culture program runs until the end of the year, most major events take place during the summer months when the days are long and the weather conditions reliably mild. The possibility of reinstating a direct train connection between the Latvian capital and the second-largest city in Estonia has been discussed for years.

The celebrations in Tartu added urgency to the debate, albeit not in time. Until the new railway connection begins operation in October, culturally interested visitors from Rīga will, according to LSM.lv, have no choice but to use the road to participate in Tartu's cultural program live. However, even from October onwards, the new connection will be a boon for Baltic travel.

More on the train connection Riga - Tartu.

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