Latvia, Legislation, Transport

The Environmental Protection and Regional Development Ministry also indicates that traffic problems in the capital city should not be solved by raising parking fees alone.

Although the Environmental Protection and Regional Development Ministry has approved the regulations, as the Riga City Council's decision was taken pursuant to all the relevant laws and regulations, the ministry says in a letter to the Riga municipality that there are several shortcomings to be considered. The Riga City Council stated in its explanation why the parking fees need to be increased that the number of people who will want to travel to the downtown by car would grow as a result of the higher public transport fares. The ministry points out that this is only a presumption. The Riga City Council should have determined first whether the demand for municipal parking lots has increased, not raise the parking fees proactively.

The ministry also notes that the Riga City Council has not been active enough in the development of the "Park&Ride" parking areas in Riga, which would help a lot in solving traffic problems in the downtown.

Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development Kaspars Gerhards (All For Latvia-For Fatherland And Freedom/LNNK) notes that traffic problems in Riga should be solved not only via "repressive methods", such as higher prices and introducing new restrictions and limitations, but the municipality should strive instead to offer convenient alternatives, including public transport.

As reported, parking fees in Riga municipal parking areas are to increase from April 1, 2015.