Last update for this page: 1 January 2001.
National Railway System: Latvijas Dzelzceļš (LDZ).
Language: Latvian.
Currency: Lat (Ls); 1Ls = 100 santīmi
UIC code: 25
Timetable: Pasažieru Vilcienu Kustības Saraksts. Does not include international trains in transit. The timetable is entirely in Latvian. Price: Ls.0.30
Timetable Map: A schematic plan (including freight-only lines, which are distinguishable by having no intermediate stations shown) is included in the timetable (refer also to Quail Map Co.'s Latvia & Lithuania with Russia (Kaliningrad Region) Railway Maps).
Gauge: "Russian" gauge (1520mm) except the Gulbene - Alūksne line (750mm)
Electrification: 3kV dc
Rule of the road: Most lines are single track, but on double track sections right hand running applies.
Other Railways: none.
Tourist lines:
Metro: None. The initial phase of a Metro was planned during the 1980s but has come to be seen as ecologically unsuitable (as well as having the taint of the Soviet era), so now seems unlikely to be developed.
Trams: Rīga, Daugavpils, Liepāja
Trolleybuses: Rīga
Recent and Future Changes:
Outside the Rīga suburban (electrified) area, passenger services are in serious decline, with service reductions and line closures over the past few years, probably mainly because line speeds are relatively slow and therefore uncompetitive with road over trunk routes (although secondary roads in rural areas are unsealed). Also, heavy - and profitable - freight traffic, particularly on the transit route, left no paths for passenger trains. Passenger line closures since 1997: Liepāja - Vaiņode; Renge - Lithuanian border; Jelgava - Tukums 2; Ieriķi - Gulbene; Skulte - Aloja; Daugavpils - Eglaine - Lithuanian border; Zemitāni - Jāņavārti (Rīga) (3 August 2000); Jelgava - Krustpils (21 August 2000)
Special notes:
There are no known "runabout"-type tickets, but fares are cheap - between Ls 0,01 and 0,02 per km. Tickets are issued for specific trains or for a timed validity.
Additional Notes
Some words which may help:
elektrovilcieni = electric (suburban) multiple unit trains, operating to the following destinations from Rīga: Skulte; Aizkraukle; Jelgava; Tukums 2 via Dubulti.
dīzeļvilcieni = diesel (country) trains (at a fare scale approx. 30% higher than elektrovilcieni); apart from international trains, principally multiple units
darba dienās = SSuX
[timetable note] * (reading "vilcieni, apzīmēti ar "zvaigznīti", tiks norīkoti pēc īpašas pavēles", or similar) indicates need to enquire for dates of operation
kursēs līdz = terminates at
atcelts = cancelled
no = from or departure
gala stacija = terminus or destination
nepietur = not stopping (platform departure posters usually assume "all stations" unless otherwise shown)
celā = journey duration
Last complete update 4 December 2000. Subsequent amendments: Timetable Map details updated (1 January 2001).
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