Latvia is considering purchasing three passenger trains to operate on the European standard-gauge railway Rail Baltica, Transport Minister Atis Švinka (P) revealed on Latvian Television’s program Šodienas jautājums on Thursday.
This week, Estonia’s Ministry of Climate announced plans to acquire up to five new passenger trains, which will mainly serve domestic routes on Rail Baltica. Asked about Latvia’s train procurement plans, Švinka explained that Latvia is represented by the state-owned company Pasažieru vilciens (PV), which is participating in the tender jointly with Estonia.
“If we want to, we will be able to take advantage of this opportunity. If there is another perspective, then the approach is quite flexible. We are participating together with Estonia in this tender under the same terms,” Švinka said.
At present, Latvia is looking at buying three trains, though Švinka did not disclose the specific amount, reiterating that Latvia and Estonia are both involved in the procurement and “the sums are the same.”
According to Estonia’s Ministry of Climate,
the estimated cost of five train units is between 60 million euros and 75 million euros
(excluding VAT). In addition to the trains, necessary depot maintenance equipment will also be purchased.
Although the trains are intended mainly for Estonia’s domestic lines, their technical capabilities would allow them to travel to more distant destinations, such as Riga. Between Tallinn and Häädemeeste, a small town near the Estonian–Latvian border, there will be a total of 12 local stops.
Each new train will be able to carry up to 200 passengers and travel at speeds of up to 200 km/h. They will include a business-class section, restrooms, internet access, comfortable seating, bike spaces, and onboard catering services.
Estonia’s national passenger rail operator Eesti Liinirongid, which operates under the Elron brand, will announce a tender for train acquisition this autumn. The aim is for Estonia to receive its first new passenger train in the second half of 2029, providing sufficient time for testing and certification before the service launches. All trains are expected to be delivered to Estonia by the end of June 2030.
The Rail Baltica project envisions the construction of a European standard-gauge railway from Tallinn to the Lithuanian–Polish border, connecting the Baltic States with the wider European rail network. The plan foresees building an entirely new 870 km-long line with a maximum train speed of 240 km/h.
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