EU – Baltic States, Financial Services, Latvia, Legislation, Strike, Transport

Riga City Council's Traffic Department officials told LETA that 11th November Embankment is congested with numerous trucks that are blocking two lanes in each direction. Since trucks are moving much slower and take up more space, traffic flow has practically stopped.

The situation slightly improved around 1:30 p.m.

The Traffic Department indicated that it was unusual to observe so many trucks in downtown Riga at the same time.

As reported, international and local transit companies gathered at 11th November Embankment, near Riga Castle, as of noon today, to express their indignation about "one more road toll – implemented hastily", as the transit companies' initiative group representative, Ziedonis Aparins, told members of the press.

The transit field representatives indicate that the new toll will cause thousands of people to lose their jobs in this field, but that the EUR 4.3 million that the state plans to collect, "can in turn be spent on unemployment benefits," Aparins said ironically.

The organizers indicated that only 10% of all transit companies are taking part in the protest – 120 trucks from 60 companies circling around 11th November Embankment and loudly honking.