Latvia’s regional public transport network is currently planned to remain unchanged in 2027, according to Jānis Lapiņš, Chairman of the Board of the Road Transport Administration (Autotransporta direkcija, ATD).
Lapiņš said intensive work is currently underway on planning the regional route network for 2027. One of the key issues is determining the level of state funding available, while discussions are also taking place with the new political leadership over whether additional funding will be allocated to public transport next year.
“At this stage, we are planning to maintain the 2027 route network at its current scale. At the same time, we are analysing statistical data and identifying where services can be optimised to reduce costs,” Lapiņš said.
He stressed that no final decisions have yet been made, as planners are still analysing the available data and developing proposals.
“Once we have a clear vision, the public will be informed. For now, the plan is to keep the regional route network at its current level,” he added.
Commenting on the strategy for commercial regional bus routes—which consulting firm KPMG Baltics was originally expected to complete by the end of February—Lapiņš said the deadline had passed, but the ATD was not satisfied with the quality of the draft strategy. As a result, the authority has submitted comments and proposals outlining the improvements that need to be made.
He also noted that commercial routes will not replace subsidised public transport overnight and described the initiative as a medium- to long-term project.
“This is a strategic decision that is unlikely to be implemented in 2027. It is more realistic for the following period—2028, 2029 or even 2030—because the entire route network would first need to be reorganised to properly integrate commercial services,” he said.
Lapiņš emphasised that the government will ultimately have to decide what role commercial routes should play, as there are several possible operating models.
“A private operator’s objective is to generate profit, while the state’s objective is to provide the widest possible transport network for the public. These two interests must be carefully balanced,” he said.
The revised commercial route strategy is expected to be completed by the end of July.
As previously reported by LETA, KPMG Baltics was awarded a contract worth €30,000 excluding VAT to prepare the commercial bus route strategy.
According to the ATD, the strategy aims to define the principles for developing a commercial route network, establish criteria for opening new routes, assess financial sustainability, service quality and regulatory requirements, and promote efficient, demand-driven and competitive regional public transport services operating on commercial principles.
Once the strategy has been finalised, the ATD will be able to identify the legislative amendments required and determine how commercial routes could be integrated into Latvia’s overall regional public transport network to improve mobility for residents.
LETA has also previously reported that Latvia’s regional public transport network is planned to total 73.76 million kilometres in 2026, approximately 400,000 kilometres (0.5%) less than in 2025.
Of this, regional bus services are expected to account for 65.685 million kilometres, down 0.7% year-on-year, while rail services are projected to total 8.078 million kilometres, an increase of 0.4%.
In autumn 2025, the Public Transport Council approved the forecast for the 2026 regional route network. However, after plans to optimise the network were postponed, the forecast had to be approved in a revised version.
The suspended optimisation plan envisaged reducing the subsidised regional bus network in 2026 to 56.145 million kilometres—around 11.06 million kilometres, or 16%, less than originally planned for 2025.
The Road Transport Administration (ATD) is responsible for implementing Latvia’s national policy on international road transport, licensing commercial road transport operators, and planning the country’s public transport system.
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