Riga City Council approves free public transportation for unemployed pensioners

The Riga City Council today decided that unemployed retirees as well as visually and hearing impaired persons and those who worked to contain the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster would be able to use Riga public transportation free of charge.

The bill is yet to be reviewed by the Ministry of Regional Development and Local Governments, after which it will be printed in the government's official newspaper "Latvijas Vestnesis" and come into force next day after that.

As reported, the move is estimated to cost around LVL 3.5 million per year to the municipal public transportation company "Rigas satiksme". If passes are issued this September, then the company would require additional funding of more than LVL 1 million already this year.

Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs (Harmony Center) explained previously that pensioners would be allowed to use public transport for free in Riga because they form one of the most vulnerable social groups.

"Analyses of the situation clearly show that unemployed pensioners are one of the most vulnerable social groups," the mayor pointed out.

"At the moment, taking into consideration the reductions in administrative costs at the company "Rigas satiksme" and the revenue in the Riga budget, the local government sees the possibility to provide social assistance to this category of Rigans, by granting them the right to use public transport free of charge," said Usakovs.

LETA

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