Latvia’s rail network serves as a crucial transit corridor between the EU, Russia, and Asia. The system combines Soviet-era infrastructure with modern European standards, featuring extensive electrification and significant freight operations through its ports.
Network Overview
| Parameter | Statistics | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total Track Length | 1,860 km | Active lines |
| Electrified Lines | 257 km | 3kV DC system |
| Double Track | 152 km | Main corridors |
| International Connections | 3 | Estonia, Lithuania, Russia |
| Rail Ports | 3 | Riga, Ventspils, Liepāja |
Technical Parameters
Track & Civil Infrastructure
| Parameter | Specification | Standard/Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Track Gauge | 1,520 mm | GOST Standard | Russian gauge |
| Rail Profile | UIC 60/R65 | Mixed Standards | Modernization ongoing |
| Sleeper Type | Concrete/Wooden | EU/GOST | Climate-adapted |
| Maximum Gradient | 1.2% | Design Standard | Main lines |
| Axle Load | 25 tonnes | EU Standards | Freight routes |
| Design Speed | 120 km/h | Passenger | Main lines |
Rolling Stock
Passenger Fleet
| Type | Quantity | Capacity | Manufacturer | Age (years) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMU ER2T | 19 | 800 | RVR | 25-30 |
| DMU DR1A | 15 | 250 | RVR | 30-35 |
| New EMU | 32 | 450 | Škoda | 1-5 |
| Modern DMU | 12 | 180 | Stadler | 2-7 |
Freight Locomotives
| Type | Quantity | Power (kW) | Status | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2M62U | 40 | 2,200 | Active | Main freight |
| ČME3 | 65 | 993 | Active | Shunting |
| 2TE116 | 25 | 2,200 | Active | Heavy freight |
Freight Wagons
| Type | Quantity | Capacity (tons) | Average Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tank | 2,500 | 60-80 | 15 |
| Hopper | 1,800 | 70 | 18 |
| Platform | 1,200 | 60 | 12 |
| Container | 900 | 60 TEU | 10 |
Passenger Operations
Main Routes
| Route | Distance (km) | Journey Time | Daily Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riga-Daugavpils | 218 | 3h | 8 |
| Riga-Valga | 166 | 2h 45m | 4 |
| Riga-Liepāja | 223 | 3h 30m | 3 |
| Riga-Ventspils | 189 | 3h 15m | 4 |
Passenger Statistics
| Service Type | Annual Passengers | Trend | Load Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suburban | 15.2M | Stable | 65% |
| Regional | 4.8M | Growing | 55% |
| International | 0.8M | Growing | 70% |
Freight Operations
Major Freight Flows
| Commodity | Annual Volume (M tons) | Direction | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil Products | 12.5 | Transit | -2% |
| Coal | 8.2 | Transit | -5% |
| Containers | 4.5 | Mixed | +8% |
| Fertilizers | 3.8 | Export | +3% |
Port Connections
| Port | Annual Rail Volume (M tons) | Main Cargo | Facilities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riga | 15.2 | Mixed | Full terminal |
| Ventspils | 12.8 | Liquid bulk | Specialized |
| Liepāja | 5.4 | Mixed | General cargo |
Infrastructure
Electrification
| Section | System | Length (km) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riga Region | 3kV DC | 257 | Operational |
| Planned Extension | 25kV AC | 300 | Planning |
Signaling Systems
| Type | Coverage | Standard | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALSN | Network-wide | Russian | Legacy |
| ETCS Level 2 | Rail Baltica | European | Planning |
Development Projects
Current Projects (2025-2027)
| Project | Budget (€M) | Status | Completion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Track Modernization | 318 | Ongoing | 2026 |
| Signaling Upgrade | 156 | Active | 2027 |
| Station Renovation | 85 | Ongoing | 2026 |
Rail Baltica Integration
| Component | Status | Completion | Investment (€M) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riga Central | Construction | 2026 | 430 |
| North Section | Planning | 2027 | 825 |
| South Section | Design | 2027 | 785 |
Environmental Initiatives
Sustainability Programs
| Initiative | Target | Timeline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CO2 Reduction | -30% | 2030 | Ongoing |
| Noise Reduction | -20% | 2027 | Active |
| Energy Efficiency | +25% | 2028 | Planning |
