Last update for this page: 22 July 2010.
National Railway System: Latvijas Dzelzceļš (LDZ).
Language: Latvian.
Currency: Lat (Ls); 1Ls = 100 santīmi
UIC code: numeric 25; alpha LV
| Journey Planner: | www.ldz.lv/?object_id=861 |
| Downloadable Timetable: | International trains only: www.ldz.lv/?object_id=1968 then select the relevant "International Passenger Train Time Table" from the list. |
| Printed Timetable: | The Iekšzemes Pasažieru Vilcienu Kustības Saraksts, which is entirely in Latvian, does not include international trains. |
| Engineering Information: | None |
Gauge: "Russian" gauge (1520mm) except the Gulbene - Alūksne line (750mm)
Electrification: 3 kV dc
Rule of the road: Most lines are single track, but on double track sections right hand running applies.
Other Railways: Gulbene - Alūksne Railway www.banitis.lv
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
Recent and Future Changes:
Outside the Rīga suburban (electrified) area, passenger services have seen serious decline, with service reductions and line closures, since independence, 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 to ports, left no paths for passenger trains.
Cross-border passenger services from Valka/Lugaži to Valga (Estonia) were reinstated on 25 April 2008. In September 2009 LDz announced its decision to dismantle the Liepāja – Ventspils, Saurieši - Ērgli, Ieriķi - Gulbene and Gulbene - Vecumi (Russian border) lines as it is impossible to reopen them owing to the poor condition of the track, some of which has been stolen. Passenger services on the lines to Gulbene and to Liepāja have been reduced to twice weekly. From 30 May 2010 the Vilnius - Sankt Peterburg train runs only between Vilnius and Rēzekne-2, where it combines with Riga - Sankt Peterburg train; in consequence, the direct north- south line at Rēzekne has no passenger service and Rēzekne-1 station closed.
Special notes:
There are no known "runabout"-type tickets, but fares are cheap. Tickets are issued for specific trains or for a timed validity.
Maps: Quail Map Co. publishes a Railway Map "Latvia & Lithuania with Russia (Kaliningrad Region)".
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 31 May 2010. Subsequent amendments: "Recent and Future Changes" amended (22 July 2010).
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