The extension of passenger train connectivity between Vilnius and Riga to include Tallinn will depend on decisions of Latvian and Estonian officials, Lithuanian Minister of Transport Marius Skuodis has said.
On December 27, at the opening of passenger train service connectivity between Vilnius and Riga, Skuodis told journalists that Latvia and Estonia were in the middle of negotiations of opening railway transport connectivity between Riga and Tartu. It is possible the train schedule between Vilnius and Riga may be corrected and adapted to this new route.
“It’s difficult for me to discuss projects I cannot influence, because Estonia and Latvia have to reach and agreement first,” Skuodis told journalists in Vilnius, answering the question if it was possible to establish passenger railway connectivity between Vilnius and Tallinn in this government’s term.
“Negotiations are underway for a connection between Riga and Tartu, and we have a railway connection between Tartu and Tallinn. If a connection is formed between Riga and Tartu, I think we will be able to adapt timetables to Vilnius-Riga railway route,” added the Lithuanian Minister of Transport.
Skuodis could not say if Riga-Tartu was a continuation of Vilnius-Riga route, adding that “everything will depend on our ability to agree”.
Passenger train connection with Daugavpils, the possibility of which is considered, will depend in Lithuania and Latvia resolving the existing shortage of rolling stock.
“The rolling stock is the main challenge for us in Lithuania, to ensure we have trains. Trains are being manufactured now. This is a challenge for Latvia as well,” said Skuodis.
“It will depend on which country has reserves to cover 20 km (between Turmantas and Daugavpils) in order to travel from one country or another and allow passengers to board a different train. And I hope we will soon have a direct connection,” said the Lithuanian minister.
At the beginning of 2023 Baltic ministers agreed on a possibility to establish passenger train services between Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn before Rail Baltica project were completed.
The first train of Lithuanian Lietuvos gelezinkeliai state railway company’s passenger carrier LFG Link departed from Vilnius on the restored Vilnius-Riga route completely filled. (BNN/Business World Magazine)