Covid-19, Latvia, Tourism, Transport

She indicated that the network of bus routes contracted as well because not all departures resumed after the state of emergency ended in June. The restart of each departure is now being assessed separately. 

Meanwhile, the network of railway routes has remained unchanged after the Covid-19 emergency.

Until the declaration of the state of emergency, passenger numbers on trains and buses was largely the same as a year ago, but during the state of emergency the number of passengers plummeted. 

Compared to the first half of last year, the steepest slump was recorded on intercity bus routes and local bus routes in Vidzeme province where passenger numbers fell 35 percent on year. Passenger numbers were down 34 percent in Riga region, 33 percent in Zemgale province, 31 percent in Latgale province and 18 percent in Kurzeme province. 

At the same time, the number of rail passengers fell 31 percent in the first six months of 2020.

Plone noted that since mid-May the number of bus passengers has been gradually rebounding. Year-on-year, the number of bus passengers dropped 68 percent in April, 58 percent in May and 37 percent in June. By now, passenger numbers are at 75 percent of last year's level. People use public transport to get to work, state institutions or shops.

In the first half of 2020, the mileage covered by the passenger buses decreased by 7 percent to some 36.17 million kilometers.

The number of bus routes has decreased to 1,058 from 1,060 a year ago and the number of departures is down to 7,498 from 7,545 a year ago.