The Latvian national rail operator Vienā vilcienā (VIVI) has put into operation the first Škoda 16Ev single-deck RegioPanter EMUs during a ceremony which took place on December 15, 2023, at Riga Central Station, where the Minister of Transport Kaspars Briškens attended.
“At this time when we thank a number of partners who have supported us on the way to these trains, in their testing, certification and training of employees, I would like to say special thanks to every employee of joint stock company “Pasažieru vilciens” – both those who were directly involved in the delivery process of electric trains and those who through their daily work have ensured that the train service is already highly appreciated by passengers today. Together, we are taking a big step forward in the development of train travel and we continue to work to ensure that more and more passengers choose to travel by train, ensuring regional accessibility, helping the country to meet its mobility goals and passengers to have a more pleasant experience,” Chairman of the Board of “Pasažieru vilciens” Rodgers Jānis Grigulis said.
The first three four-car EMUs will run on the Aizkraukle, Tukums, Skulte and Jelgava electrified railway lines.
In 2019, Škoda and EUR 240 million Pasažieru vilciens (Vienā vilcienā) signed a EUR 240 million contract to supply 32 single-deck RegioPanter EMUs including the provision of maintenance services, spare parts supply and training. The delivery of the last electric multiple unit will take place in mid-2024.
The four-car 1520 mm gauge trains are been adapted to the possibilities in Latvia, so in addition to the wide gauge, they also have a larger width and can accommodate more passengers. One electric train is 109 metres long and has a capacity with 436 seats. The trains have single-level boarding for passengers from the platforms, which will not only make the service more accessible to all, but also reduce the time it takes for passengers to transfer at stops. In addition, wider train doors will help speed up boarding and alighting.
The new electric trains are fully air-conditioned, have ergonomic seats and modern equipment. They are equipped with video and audio information systems and powerful Wi-Fi connectivity. Their operation will be smoother, and their cabins will have lower noise levels than those currently in use. The new trains have a design speed of up to 160 km/h (currently 120 km/h). In the future, the maximum speed will be possible on sections where the railway infrastructure allows it.
Thanks to the new electric trains from Škoda Group, VIVI will be able to introduce interval timetables on all routes of these trains. This means that trains will run every 15 to 20 minutes on weekday mornings and evenings, which are traditionally the busiest times.
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