The Ministry of Transport will receive state budget funding of EUR 42.5 million for various priorities – maintenance and improvement of regional and national roads, public transport options for residents and Rail Baltica railway project.
Additional funding of EUR 11.5 million will go towards maintenance and restoration of regional and local roads. In 2024 it is planned to allocate an additional amount of EUR 15 million towards this. In 2025 additional funding will increase to EUR 17 million.
According to Minister of Transport Jānis Vitenbergs, funding towards road maintenance remained insufficient for years. «This money will not resolve all problems, but at the same time we have to provide high quality roads that connect parishes with city centres. Reorganisation of regional and local roads will be done gradually,» said Vitenbergs.
The railway infrastructure will be provided with EUR 18.3 million to ensure passenger transports. The ministry explains that this funding will provide a way to stabilise the financial situation of Latvian Railway JSC, as well as maintain railway infrastructure and help plan its development. Funding will remain similar in the next two years.
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EUR 10 million in funding is planned to be used to help cover the losses of regional public transport service providers. The same amount is planned to be provided in the next two years.
«I find it important for us to be able to secure residents’ mobility and provide them with convenient options in any corner of our country. Co-financing from the state is needed in order to provide residents with affordable travel options. There are many challenges in this field, but we have to find a solution together with all involved sides,» said Vitenbergs.
Rail Baltica project will receive funding of EUR 2.38 million. This money is primarily intended to finance the design of Rail Baltica rolling stock service point in Jaunmarupe and Riga’s Central Multi-modal Hub.
To ensure single information space, EUR 194 000 is planned to be used to cover the printed press delivery service tariff growth. EUR 106 000 is planned to be used to install road signs in Liv and Latgalian languages.
According to the minister, it is necessary to work to ensure high quality roads in regions, uninterrupted public transport services and accessibility across the country. It is also important to enhance the railway and reorganise the regional bus sector.
«In the context of the current geopolitical situation security becomes even more important. This is why Rail Baltica remains our main priority,» stresses Vitenbergs.
During a meeting this Friday, the 13th of January, Latvia’s government approved the state budget proposal composed by the Ministry of Finance for new government priorities and programmes.
The report from the Ministry of Finance mentions that this year’s budget offer provides for the financing of government priorities and programmes worth EUR 710 million.
Latvia’s Ministry of Transport to receive EUR 42.5 million for priorities this year
