GREAT NEWS: Latvia Launches Its First Škoda 16Ev Electric Units!

New trains from the Latvian national carrier Vienā vilcienā (VIVI) have commenced operations from the main railway station in Riga.

The first Škoda 16Ev electric units of Vienā vilcienā (VIVI), Latvia's national carrier, have just started serving passengers in Riga. This inaugural service took place at the main railway station on December 15, attended by the Minister of Transport, Kaspars Briškens. The delivery of the last train unit is scheduled for mid-2024.

"We are pleased that, after the hard work of all our colleagues, we managed to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russian aggression in Ukraine. Thanks to the efforts of our entire team, we are here today with the first units ready to carry passengers. I would like to sincerely thank all colleagues involved in the implementation of this contract; it wouldn't have been possible without you. I also want to extend my gratitude to the customer for our excellent cooperation, as well as to the representatives of Latvia. I believe that from today, all passengers will thoroughly enjoy traveling on these new units," commented Zdeněk Sváta, a member of the Škoda Group board of directors.

Rodgers Jānis Grigulis, Chairman of the Board of JSC "Pasažieru vilciens," said: "At this moment, as we thank numerous partners who supported us in acquiring these trains, during their testing, certification, and training of employees, I would like to express special thanks to every employee of 'Pasažieru vilciens' – both to those directly involved in the delivery of electric trains and to those whose daily work ensures that train transport is already highly valued by passengers. Together, we are taking a significant step forward in the development of train travel, and we continue to work to ensure that more passengers choose train travel, which will enhance regional accessibility, help the country meet its mobility goals, and make journeys more enjoyable for passengers.”

Wide-Gauge Panther

Škoda Group is supplying Latvia with a total of 32 electric trains, fully prepared for passenger transport on the wide gauge of 1520 mm. These new trains are based on the well-known RegioPantera in the Czech Republic but have been adapted for use in Latvia. Besides the wide gauge, they are also wider to accommodate more passengers. Each vehicle consists of four cars. One electric train is 109 meters long and has 436 seats. The trains feature single-level boarding from the platforms, making transportation accessible to everyone and reducing the time needed for passenger transfers at stops. Additionally, wider train doors will facilitate faster boarding and alighting.

The new electric trains are fully air-conditioned, have ergonomic seats, and modern equipment. They are equipped with video and audio information systems and a robust Wi-Fi connection. Their operation will be smoother, and the cabins will have a lower noise level than those currently in use. The new trains have a design speed of up to 160 km/h (currently 120 km/h), with the maximum speed achievable in the future on sections where the railway infrastructure permits.

Thanks to these new electric trains from Škoda Group, the carrier VIVI will introduce interval timetables on all routes serviced by these trains. This means trains will run every 15 to 20 minutes on weekday mornings and evenings, the traditionally busiest times. The new trains will operate in the direction of Aizkraukle, Tukums, Skulte, and Jelgava.

 

Source: Škoda Group Press Releases