THE future of electric commuter services in Latvia is in doubt due to the poor state of overhead electrification equipment, according to Latvian Railways (LDz). The national operator says services could be withdrawn between 2030 and 2035 unless infrastructure receives significant investment. The warning was made in a letter to the Ministry of Infrastructure sent in March, and revealed by a local TV channel.
LDz believes around half of catenary is in a critical state. Work is about to begin on the renewal of approximately 200km of infrastructure, focusing on the lines connecting the capital Riga with Jelgava and Sloki. However, around 300km will remain with overhead electrification equipment that has come to the end of its working life.
Investment in Latvia’s existing 1520-mm gauge network has suffered, LDz says, because European Union (EU) funding has been directed to other projects, notably the new 1435mm-gauge Rail Baltica line.
LDz’s appeal to the government for more funding is backed by the State Technical Inspectorate of Railway Transport, whose representatives also signed the letter to the Ministry of Infrastructure.
"We are ready to reach out to international financial markets to borrow capital," says Artis Grinbergs, chairman of the LDz board. “But we need a long-term agreement with the state that clearly sets out the amount that will be allocated to the upkeep of existing infrastructure."
LDz says that it is facing a funding gap of “several hundred million euros” to modernise Latvia’s commuter services. The safety of LDz’s older EMUs is likely to come under increasing scrutiny following a fire on a train at Kemeri. It was caused by a short circuit while the EMU was stabled overnight. There were no injuries, but the incident has raised concerns over how much longer the ageing class ER2 fleet can remain in service.
