Electrifying the public transport system in Estonia’s Harjumaa county would require EUR 2bn in grid investments, Tallinn deputy mayor Kristjan Järvan stated, ERR reports. He said that the project would include major upgrades to both the distribution and transmission networks to support the increased use of electric vehicles. Electrifying Tallinn’s bus fleet alone would cost…
Latvia’s gross energy consumption totalled 185 PJ in 2023, which was 1 % less than in 2022, according to provisional data from the Central Statistical Bureau (CSP), LSM reports. Final energy consumption totalled 170 PJ, which was 0.9 % less than in 2022. Transport used 52 PJ (30.6%) of energy, followed by households with 45 PJ…
Most drivers in Latvia routinely exceed the speed limit, creating what Transport Minister Kaspars Briskens calls a “speed pandemic,” BNS reports. A study by Riga Technical University reveals that only 29% of drivers adhere to speed limits. Reducing the average speed by 2 kmph could save 20 lives. Briskens said he would push for increasing…
Estonian mobility company Bolt posted revenue of EUR 1.7bn in 2023, which was up 37.4% from EUR 1.2bn in 2022, ERR reports. The company’s operating loss stood at EUR 94.3bn, compared to EUR 262.6mn a year earlier. However, annual net loss rose to EUR 91.9mn from EUR 72.2mn in 2022. Bolt offers taxi, delivery, and…
The ruling coalition in Latvia will review contracts and rising costs of the Rail Baltica railway project before approving any related payments, LETA reports. Following an audit of the project, the Ministry of Transport has turned to the Prosecution Office. The audit estimated that the total cost of the project had risen to EUR 23.8bn….
The Latvian government has approved a draft transport energy bill that obliges fuel suppliers to increase the share of renewable energy in their energy portfolio, LETA reports. The bill may lead to a rise in fuel prices, according to a survey of fuel traders. The Ministry of Climate and Energy notes that the transport sector…
The prime ministers of the three Baltic States will meet with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on 6 May 2024 in the Latvian capital, Riga, LETA reports. The meeting will focus on security and defence, EU affairs, support for Ukraine, economic cooperation, and regional energy and transport projects. According to Latvia’s State Chancellery, Baltic leaders have…
Estonian bus operator Lux Express has opened a night-time bus service between Estonia’s second-largest city, Tartu, and the Latvian capital, Riga, BNS reports. The daily bus departs from Tartu at 11:15pm and arrives at Riga International Airport at 4:20am. In addition, Lux Express has a morning and an evening departure from Tartu to Riga, and…
The Estonian government’s planned new car tax will apply to used cars as well because of EU rules, ERR reports. Under the rules, the registration fee on cars will have to apply to second-hand vehicles already registered in Estonia. The government’s initial plan was for the fee to apply to imported vehicles only. The new…