QR code tickets for “Rīgas satiksme” will be developed by “Latvia’s development” donor company / Article / LSM.lv

In the spring, the “Rīgas satiksme” transport ticket can be purchased in the app by phone, promises the company’s manager Džineta Innusa. The procurement for the development of the new service has just been completed. The most expensive offer has won, moreover, the owner of the tenderer is one of the largest donors of the party “For the Development of Latvia” Uldis Mierkalns. Innusa is convinced that the purchase was done correctly.

IN SHORT:

• Anyone will soon be able to buy a transport ticket through the app on their mobile phone.
• Three companies applied to introduce QR code tickets; yet another tried to suspend procurement.
• The winner is the most expensive offer – SIA “Catchsmart”.
• It belongs to Uldis Mierkalns, who is one of the largest donors to “Latvia’s development”.
• The procurement took place at a time when Riga was headed by an interim administration.
• The city ‘s executive director and supervisor of “Rīgas satiksme” was Iveta Zalpētere, a member of “Latvia’ s Development”.
• It is denied that Mierkalns’ connection with the party has given any advantage to the competition.
• Zalpētere indicated that she was not involved in the procurement in any way.
• Riga Deputy Mayor Vilnis Ķirsis admits the shadow of doubts.

Although the “Rīgas satiksme ticket system” has been widely criticized as expensive and outdated, the company will continue to use it at least in the near future.

“Rīgas satiksme” will place QR codes in vehicles. If you bought the ticket over the phone, you will need to scan the code with your phone camera. This will validate the ticket.

Three companies applied to introduce QR code tickets. “Rīgas satiksme” indicated that SIA “Ritmika” had not met the requirements of the tender in the field of money laundering prevention. In its turn, SIA “Mikrokods” together with its Finnish partner has offered to create a new system specifically for QR code tickets, which would not be owned by “Rīgas satiksme”.

“Taking into account all the previous history and experience of” Rīgas satiksme “, we wanted the exact opposite – a product that is the property of” Rīgas satiksme “and for which we would not have to pay any third party commissions unknown for a long time unknown,” explained Innusa.

The programming company SIA “Midis” also wanted to participate in the tender, which tried to suspend the procurement in court in order to change the experience requirements of the tenderers.

Although the proceedings are ongoing, the court refused to suspend the procurement. Thus, the winner is the most expensive offer – SIA “Catchsmart”, which requires almost 200,000 euros for the work.

The company is owned by businessman Uldis Mierkalns. He is one of the largest donors to the Latvian Development Party. In the last three years, Mierkalns has donated approximately 42,000 euros to the development of Latvia.

The procurement took place at a time when Riga was headed by an interim administration, which appointed Iveta Zalpēteris, a member of the “Development of Latvia”, as the city’s executive director and, consequently, the supervisor of “Rīgas satiksme”.

Both “Catchsmart” and “Rīgas satiksme” deny that Mierkalns’ connection with the party has given any advantage in the competition.

“We don’t do that, and secondly, there are no requirements that depend on some incomprehensible, non-tasking things,” Innusa said.

Zalpētere herself also indicated to Latvian Television that she was not involved in any smart procurement, moreover, she did not know Mierkalns.

The Deputy Mayor of Riga Vilnis Ķirsis (“New Unity”) admits the shadow of doubt.

“But that’s why she’s not working here anymore, and we’re looking for a new CEO, and I’d like to hope it’s a thing of the past. But for the QR code itself, I think it’s a very good direction, voucher systems that will cost Riga and Rīgas satiksme cheaper, “said.

Currently, “Rīgas satiksme” is going to sign an agreement with “Catchsmart”, which will be given three months to develop QR code tickets. Thus, the opportunity to purchase a “Rīgas satiksme” ticket by phone could appear in March.

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