At the beginning of the school year, the number of cars on the streets of Riga traditionally increases as the summer holidays are over and students and schoolchildren are returning to the city. At the same time, large-scale work on the construction of road infrastructure continues in the city, during which various traffic restrictions are being established. In order to avoid problems on the roads as much as possible and so that everyone can reach their destination on time, the Riga municipality has prepared tips for planning routes.
Why are there traffic problems?
More than 300,000 cars pass through Riga every day. If they crossed the city evenly throughout the day, the traffic would be smooth, but as usual, traffic and the number of cars increase significantly in the morning, at noon and at the end of the working day. At the same time, the traffic flow is affected by the implementation of various construction projects, as there are various traffic restrictions in and around the construction site that slow down the traffic flow in these areas. Traffic problems are often caused by events beyond the control of the municipality, such as damage to underground utilities, traffic accidents or technical problems with vehicles, which sometimes completely block traffic. Drivers also violate the rules of the road – they stop or park in an unauthorized place, blocking the street or blocking the movement of the tram. Traffic flow is also affected by other dangerous situations, when sections of roads are closed by security authorities or weather conditions, such as heavy rain gases or snowfall, impede the movement of vehicles.
Use public transport as much as possible
To reduce traffic congestionResidents, especially at the beginning of the school year, are encouraged to refrain from using private cars, as often as possible to use public transport – buses, trolleybuses and trams, as well as the train. Also this year, on Knowledge Day, September 1, the public transport of the Riga municipality will be free for everyone. In most schools, the festive event starts in the morning and it is expected that at this time there will be a large influx of cars on the streets of Riga and traffic problems both near schools and near flower shops and markets. Using public transport, students will get to school on time, and parents will get to work.
Thanks to public transport lanes and infrastructure, public transport has become the fastest and most convenient way to get around Riga, while unloading the streets of the city and saving time spent on the road. In addition, traveling by public transport by purchasing a monthly pass is more profitable than driving a private car every day. The cost of one monthly ticket for an unlimited number of trips is 30 euros, while discounts are provided for various categories of passengers, for example, pensioners, students and people with disabilities can ride public transport in Riga for free. Additional information about the population groups that have access to various travel concessions can be obtained from LLC “Rīgas satiksme”. Homepage.
Avoid road construction zones
Until November, an active construction season continues in Riga, large-scale work is being carried out on the construction of road infrastructure, as well as the restoration of road surfaces, the renovation of sewerage and water pipes in many places, the adaptation of the tram infrastructure to the new, low-floor trams. There are various restrictions on movement in and around the construction site, which slows down traffic in these areas. In the center of Riga, the construction of the infrastructure of the Rail Baltica project continues, as well as the construction of the Eastern Highway and the Bras Bridge, as well as the reconstruction of several intersections in the area adjacent to the Daugava Stadium. . Repair work has been rescheduled where possible and traffic has been organized to facilitate movement as much as possible, however, even at the beginning of the school year, construction work will continue and traffic restrictions will remain in place. We urge drivers to re-plan their usual routes to avoid repair zones or allow more time on the road to get to their destination on time. Traffic Department of the Riga City Council Homepage A special map has been created on which residents can see the current traffic restrictions in Riga.
Leave at off-peak times
The intensity of traffic at certain times of the day is different, so during certain periods of time you have to spend more time on the road. Most often, traffic jams occur in the morning around 8, when people go to work, children are taken to kindergarten or school, and at the end of the working day after 17, when people go home and children are taken to hobby classes. During this time, the number of cars on the streets of the city has increased significantly. During peak hours, the time spent on the road can increase even by 40-50 minutes. During this time, drivers are encouraged to allow extra time to travel or travel by car outside peak hours. In addition, employers are encouraged to be understanding and offer employees flexible working hours whenever possible.
Get around the city center
Often traffic problems in the city center arise because of drivers who drive through Riga. We ask motorists to refrain from using the central part of the city for passing bypasses. Similarly, those who work in Riga and come from neighboring municipalities are encouraged to use public transport and the train, or to team up with colleagues, thereby reducing the number of cars in Riga.
Use free navigation and traffic information apps while driving.
Drivers are encouraged to use free navigation and traffic information apps such as Waze to avoid areas where traffic is slow, there are traffic restrictions, or there has been an accident on the road. Applications offer the fastest way to your destination and promptly inform you about events on the road. The Riga municipality cooperates with Waze and informs its owners about the current traffic restrictions.
Get around on bikes or other micromobility tools.
To avoid traffic problems, residents are also encouraged to use bicycles or other means of micromobility such as electric scooters, especially in favorable weather conditions. By bicycle, the city center can be reached in about 30 minutes from almost all districts of Riga. The cycling infrastructure in Riga is also developing – at the moment there are more than 120 km of bike paths in the city, along which you can also ride an electric scooter, 351 bike parking spaces have been equipped in the city, where a total of 1920 bicycles can be placed. parked. Last year, the Center-Ziepniekalns cycle path was built, but this year it is planned to open the Imanta-Daugavgrīva cycle path. In the future, it is also planned to build or improve cycling infrastructure on several bridges in Riga.
We invite you to teach children to go to school by public transport
Parents whose children are already independent are encouraged to educate them and encourage them to travel to school by public transport, since the public transport of the Riga municipality is free for all children of preschool age and students up to 12th grade.. Website of LLC “Rīgas satiksme” a detailed map of bus stops is available, where parents can find the closest public transport stop to their home and educational institution, as well as draw up a transport schedule for their child. On the other hand, taking care of the safety of children, a speed limit of 30 km/h has been set in all educational institutions, speed bumps have been installed in many places, and employees of the Riga Municipal Police are on duty in schools, sports complexes and public places. hobby schools.
The Riga municipality invites residents to take into account some prepared tips so as not to cause unnecessary anxiety at the beginning of the school year and not to miss important events.
Information prepared by: Tatyana Smirnova, project coordinator of the Department of External Communications of the Riga Municipality, e-mail: mail: tsmirnova11@riga.lv.