An Elron train arrived at Riga Central Railway Station for the first time on February 4 at 5:46 p.m. after a test run on Latvia’s railways. The connection is expected to launch this summer.
On February 4-6, test runs of Elron’s Stadler Flirt trains are being carried out on the railway section between Estonia’s Valga and the Latvian capital. This is a necessary step before launching the passenger rail service between Tartu and Riga.
During the test runs, compatibility tests will be carried out on Latvia’s infrastructure monitoring systems, signaling systems, radio communications and other technical components. The entire route will be covered, including the sidetracks required for operation.
Over the course of three days, Estonia’s trains will be tested in cooperation with the Latvian passenger train operator Vivi.
Elron board member Mart Ehrenpreis said the test runs are initially being conducted with a two-car diesel train, followed by a three-car train.
“The first day of testing went smoothly, and the tests planned for today were completed. At 5:46 p.m., Elron’s Stadler Flirt train arrived at Riga Central Railway Station for the first time,” Ehrenpreis said.
He said the test runs were an essential part of certifying the Stadler Flirt passenger trains used in Estonia for operation on Latvian railways.
“We plan to launch the Tartu-Riga route in the summer, with the exact date depending on the success of the certification process,” he added. (ERR)