Latvia, Legislation, Society, Transport

International Internet Magazine. Baltic States news & analytics Friday, 29.03.2024, 13:48

Fare discounts on Riga transport to be granted to foreign and local pensioners based on Latvia's retirement age

BC, Riga, 15.07.2020.Print version
From now on, foreign pensioners will receive fare discounts on public transport in Riga on the same conditions as Latvian pensioners, the Riga city interim administration decided today, cites LETA.

At today's meeting, the city administration approved amendments to the regulations on fare discounts on Riga's public transport, defining the term 'pensioner' as a person who has reached the official retirement age according to the Latvian law and has been granted the status of pensioner or who receives Latvia's service pension.


Under the new rules, persons born after October 1956 will be able to use their existing fare discount for up to 180 days after the new regulation comes into effect.


The issue triggered a heated debate on the Riga City Council in March 2018 when it was reported that foreign pensioners from countries with lower retirement ages than in Latvia are enjoying free rides on the city's public transport, while Latvians have to wait longer to reach the retirement age and qualify for the discount.


Under the existing regulation, Latvia's citizens and non-citizens can use public transport in Riga from the age of 63, while Riga-based pensioners with Russian, Belarussian or Ukrainian passports can start receiving the 100 percent discount already from the age of 55, which is the official retirement age in these countries. Opposition councilors proposed changing this regulation and called for equal conditions for all pensioners irrespective of their nationality, but the ruling coalition rejected the proposal.


The Ombudsman's Office and Welfare Ministry have also called for changing the unfair situation.






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