Of the new electric passenger trains supplied by Czech Škoda Vagonka to Latvia only ten are in use: eight are actively carrying passengers, and two are kept in reserve in accordance with the company’s risk reduction plan, as BNN was informed by Pasažieru vilciens (PV).
Five trains are undergoing dynamic tests, and two more are undergoing active checks to prevent defects, the company reports.
PV board chairman Rodžers Jānis Grigulis told BNN that new electric trains are planned to be returned to active circulation in order to reduce the impact on the accuracy of train timetables.
“When defects were found in the trains supplied by Škoda Vagonka, we adopted a risk management plan, which provides for making sure the new trains course as little as possible on one-lane railway lines, where a sudden halt of a train can significantly affect the entire traffic. Train reserves are kept in case it is necessary to carry passengers in an emergency,” said Grigulis.
According to him, Škoda Vagonka has so far acted responsibly, providing both additional staff for repairs and presence of engineers for dynamic tests and regular train runs.
“They are given time until the first ten-day period of March to ensure 95% accessibility of new electric trains for passenger transports,” stresses Grigulis.
Previously the company explained that dynamic tests are performed every one or three days depending on the defect and its effect on train operations. Every train travels 200 or 600 km, imitating regular passenger transports, stopping at every train stop, opening and closing doors.
Also read: BNN ANALYSES | Disappointing Kėdainiai, the much-touted Vilnius-Riga train route will not be adjusted so far
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