On September 9, the government approved the regulatory framework prepared by the Ministry of Transport (MoT) for the purchase of battery electric multiple unit (BEMU) trains and the development of BEMU charging infrastructure by 2029. The total funding available for the implementation of the BEMU train project is €123 million, including €104.6 million from the European Union (EU) Cohesion Fund and €18.4 million in national funding.
“Our priority is people, and public transport must ensure mobility for residents throughout the country. In Latvia, as elsewhere in Europe, we are developing railway as the backbone of public transport, and we are finally launching the implementation of the BEMU electric train project, which will promote mobility for residents on non-electrified railway routes. At the same time, the zero-emission trains, which will replace outdated diesel trains, will provide the opportunity to travel in a modern and convenient way. This will also be a major step towards achieving Europe’s green goals,” emphasized Atis Švinka, Minister of Transport.
The BEMU trains are primarily intended to provide services between Riga and more remote regions of the country — provisionally on two routes, “Riga–Cēsis” and “Riga–Daugavpils” — thereby improving regional mobility and connectivity with Riga. These routes already have significant passenger flows, and work is ongoing to build raised passenger platforms along these lines, which is planned to be completed by 2029.
The planned EU fund investment for BEMU procurement is at a high level of readiness. The Road Transport Administration (ATD) is currently carrying out the tender procedure, and according to procurement requirements, all BEMU trains must be delivered and put into service no later than 42 months after the signing of the procurement contract. The available funding for the purchase and commissioning of BEMU trains is €110.7 million.
Meanwhile, the charging infrastructure for battery-electric trains will be implemented by Latvijas dzelzceļš (LDz). The solutions required for BEMU charging are planned to be introduced on both routes — “Riga–Cēsis” and “Riga–Daugavpils.” A total of €12.3 million has been allocated for the development of charging infrastructure.
