Next year, the Ministry of Transport (MoT) will continue its efforts to implement the priorities - moving towards a green course, ensuring safety and accessibility, introducing good governance and strengthening international competitiveness. As part of the drive to go green, the MoT will continue to develop public transport that is accessible, of high quality and up-to-date, with €162 million earmarked for next year.
"Next year, we will continue to develop a convenient and cost-effective regional public transport route network for citizens nationwide. Together with the Riga municipality, we need to find a sustainable solution for public transport in Pierīga by introducing a single ticket and eliminating duplication between transport routes. The investment programme for municipalities already approved at a national level, Station 2.0, will enable them to improve station infrastructure, thus enhancing the accessibility and attractiveness of public transport and strengthening rail as the backbone of public transport. I also expect that we will create a long-term solution for the development of rail traffic, ensuring the mobility of the population in the non-electrified railway sections", explains the Minister of Transport Kaspars Briškens.
The MoT budget for 2025 plans €93.8 million in subsidies for regional public transport - buses and trains. All 32 new Škoda electric trains will be in service and passenger numbers are expected to continue to grow as they have this year. The budget of the MoT foresees that next year, too, fare concessions will be provided for orphans, families of honour and other groups of citizens, as required by the legal framework.
A new €2.7 million electric train repair centre is also planned for next year. To ensure the continuity of rail infrastructure operation and to implement improvement projects, €64.2 million is earmarked for this purpose next year. The investment programme for municipalities, Station 2.0, is expected to progress further next year, with a total of €88 million available, including €75.0 million from European Union funds.
Next year, the government's priority will be national security and the budget of the MoT for the transport and communications sector will be €752.7 million, some €36 million less than this year. At the same time, the Minister of Transport Kaspars Briškens stressed that the Ministry will continue the measures it has launched to implement the priorities towards the green course, ensuring safety and accessibility, introducing good governance and strengthening international competitiveness.
