Free public transport to be introduced in sparsely populated areas

“In areas with low population density, revenue from tickets sold on public transport is low, and public transport primarily performs a social function. To improve access to public transport and encourage residents to travel by regional route buses, free public transport is planned to be introduced in such areas,” explains Minister of Transport Tālis Linkaits. “In sparsely populated areas where these free services will be introduced, everyone will have the opportunity to travel by public bus, regardless of their place of residence.”

It is planned that free public transport services will be provided on approximately 20 regional routes in all regions except the Riga region. The Road Transport Administration (ATD) has identified potential free routes; however, their number may change in light of current data and following an assessment of the quantitative indicators for the criteria. Data from 2019 will be used to determine in which areas free public transport should be introduced.

Four criteria will be taken into account when deciding whether to introduce free public transport:

• population density, namely, fewer than four inhabitants per square kilometre;
• revenue from tickets sold and foregone revenue from passengers entitled to fare concessions, which is covered by the state in accordance with the laws and regulations in force, does not exceed 15% on the route;
• the number of services on the regional route does not exceed six per day, and no other public transport services are available to the parish where the route terminates, or, on circular routes, to the parish where the stop is located in the parish with the lowest population density; therefore, access to public transport services is limited;
• the state covers more than 85% of the route’s operating costs.

This is the first time that free routes are being introduced. The first services will be introduced this autumn. After one year (in September 2022), the ATD will assess the situation and analyse the quantitative indicators for the criteria and, if necessary, review them, taking into account the progress and development of the solution, as well as assessing the functionality and demand for the approved free routes.

Free public transport in sparsely populated areas is provided for by the “Public Transport Development Concept for 2021–2030”, whose main objective is to encourage residents to switch from private cars to competitive, integrated and convenient public transport. The concept was adopted by the government in a conceptual report in 2019. The Public Transport Development Concept stipulates that the backbone of the public transport system is the railway, while buses complement rail services.

Author:

Communications Division

Ministry of Transport

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