It is planned to fully implement the unified public transport ticket system at the beginning of next year

He pointed out that in mobile app ticketing, ATD acts as an issuer that issues tickets and transfers them to the ticket seller at the wholesale price. Therefore, the tickets have a corridor of 10% in which the ticket seller can watch and make a price offer.

Caune noted that after trains join the unified ticketing system, buses will be added next, working with both existing and new carriers on long-term contracts. On the other hand, the bus stations will connect the latter to the unified ticket system.

“Bus stations are the last, because they sell tickets of different carriers. It is important that bus stations do not work with two systems, but work with one system,” Caune added.

He said that ATD has set the goal of the first quarter of 2025, ideally February, when the new ticket system should be fully operational. However, he added that in such projects, where there are more than 20 parties involved, the process is not simple. “We are moving towards the goal, but we accept that it may be longer due to various circumstances,” added Caune.

Commenting on the objections of the Association of Latvian Passenger Carriers shortly before the introduction of the ticket and tariff system, Caune stated that the preparation for the introduction of the system was a stressful process, however, ATD believes that awareness has been sufficient.

“Of course, we were a few days late for our partners to receive the information completely perfectly, but ATD also held seminars dedicated to the tickets and fares of the new system. There are things that seem like mistakes when switching to a new system, but that’s the new fare and ticket system,” Caune said.