Frustration among local residents and business owners has mounted as the state once again breaks its promises, postponing the completion of the Rail Baltica Tallinn-Pärnu section by eight years, reports ERR News.
A facility belonging to the shipbuilding company BLRT is set to open soon in Kohila; its location was chosen with the expectation that products could be transported by rail. Local entrepreneurs and residents are eagerly awaiting the railway line, yet no one knows when it will be finished.
Aivar Roop, the development advisor for the Kohila municipality, stated that discussions with company executives confirmed the Rail Baltica line—originally scheduled to become operational in 2030—is intended for both passenger and freight transport. This means that while the primary desire and interest of the local community is for passenger services to begin by 2030, freight transport is equally important.
The plan is for new trains to travel from Kohila to Tallinn in less than half an hour. Rops noted that there are 78 municipalities in Estonia, 11 of which are experiencing growth; Kohila is one of them, and the municipality is also seeing a rise in its population. This is reportedly directly linked to the planned Rail Baltica line, and the first real estate developers have already arrived.
Trains have not run to Pärnu for eight years.
The company Brackmann Arendus is developing a large hotel and conference center near Pärnu, and its manager, Sari Sopanen, stated that rail service would benefit the business. While the railway line is not the reason the hotel is being built at this specific location, accessibility is crucial for tourism, and a rail connection would certainly be useful. She particularly emphasized the benefits of connecting Pärnu to two international airports, noting that this would be a fantastic asset for her sector.
According to Pärnu Mayor Kristel Voltenberg, Pärnu had been promised that the railway line would begin operations this year, but the deadlines subsequently began to slip. The latest pledge was that train services would begin in 2030, and all planning was consequently aligned with that deadline. Now, publicly available information suggests that this deadline is once again turning into an empty promise – one that could vanish into thin air – and Pärnu cannot be satisfied with this situation.
Estonian Minister of Infrastructure Kuldar Leis noted that it is possible to complete the Tallinn–Pärnu line first, allowing domestic services to commence. This matter is set to be discussed during budget planning, but it is clear that this section will open before the entire line is completed.
Read also: “It won’t happen in 2030 – there’s no doubt about it.” Latvian politician delivers stark Rail Baltica forecast
Delays in Rail Baltica construction in Estonia frustrate locals
