Municipal company Rīgas satiksme (RS) has announced a market survey for the purchase of 100 new trolleybuses and 24 trams, the company reports.
The study aims to continue the modernization of public transport and implement the goals defined in RS’s medium-term strategy.
Both trolleybuses and trams must have low-floor designs. Each tram should accommodate at least 180 passengers and must not exceed 42 meters in length. The planned trolleybus fleet will include two types: half of them will be 12 meters long with at least 70 passenger seats, while the other half will be longer articulated models with two or three sections (18 and 24 meters respectively), capable of carrying at least 120 passengers.
The trolleybuses will also need to be equipped with traction batteries allowing them to operate without overhead wires, as well as cameras and displays replacing side mirrors — similar to the newest electric buses. In the tram market survey, RS will also assess the feasibility of bi-directional trams, comparing their costs and operational efficiency with single-direction models, which have a driver’s cabin and controls at only one end, explained RS representative Baiba Bartaševiča-Feldmane.
The goal of the market research is to gather comprehensive information on the latest technological solutions
and industry capabilities suitable for Riga’s public transport system. RS plans to evaluate available technical options, delivery schedules, standard and extended warranty terms — both for the vehicles and their subsystems.
The company will also assess maintenance and repair options during the warranty period, including the operator’s potential authorization for independent servicing, as well as spare parts supply times. Special attention will be given to the expected lifespan and mileage of traction batteries, as well as their costs.
Both projects aim to improve passenger comfort and operational safety, increase maintenance efficiency, reduce downtime, and introduce a unified passenger information system and upgraded interior design with durable, easy-to-clean materials, the company noted.
During the market study, RS plans to reach out to a wide range of potential suppliers, including international manufacturers both within and outside the European Union. The objective is to obtain accurate information about minimum delivery volumes, indicative costs, and possible delivery timelines, in order to prepare high-quality procurement documentation.
Potential participants must submit their applications and information offers by the 15th of December for trams and by the 12th of December for trolleybuses.
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