SIA “Rīgas mikroautobusu satiksme” (RMS) has decided to not operate public passenger service in the city of Riga from April 2 2020 until the emergency situation in the state be in the place.

There are a lot of restrictions and security activities in the country to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus and also applies on the public transport. From 21 March, 2020 several routes of express bus and minibus are not operated at all and on several routes – minibuses run on a weekend timetable. In addition, on 26 March, 2020 the Minister of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Latvia issued Order No 01-03/79 about social separation and precautionary measures in public transport, which states that carriers should limit the use of minibuses for passengers to minimize the unnecessary social contact as possible.

The Company provides passenger services only with minibuses and express buses. As the Order determines to limit the use of vehicles of this class, and in last couple of days the Company receives issues from employees about passengers who do not comply prescribed social separation limits, the RMS to concluded – it is not possible to ensure that the Order is enforced in any other way than by not operate the service at all, during the emergency. Therefore, from tomorrow, April 2, 2020 the minibuses and Express buses will also stop run on the following routes: No. 203, 204, 209, 214, 233, 263, 271 and 300. The changes apply until the emergency situation in the state be in the place. A lot of RMS drivers are already on vacation, after – on downtime. Such arrangements will also apply to the other Company’s employees. RMS apologies to passengers for the inconvenience and hopes, that situation will improve in the near future and the Company will be able to rebuild its operations.

Information about SIA “Rīgas mikroautobusu satiksme”

SIA “Rīgas mikroautobusu satiksme” (RMS) was establish on 24 October 2012. The Company provides passenger transport service in the city of Riga by new, modern-equipped and comfortable minibuses and express buses, on 18 day and 8 night schedule routes.

The timetable changes on the several routes, operated by the SIA “Rīgas mikroautobusu satiksme” (RMS), entered into force, determined by the Riga City Council, to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Therefore, from Saturday, March 21 several routes of express bus and minibus are not operated at all and on several routes – minibuses run on a weekend timetable. 

The RMS has implemented a number of safety actions: disinfecting vehicles, restricting the first passenger seat (at the boarding door) from the driver, allowed passengers to be registering the journey only with an e-talons and only used the rear door to get in or out from the vehicle.

These changes have caused considerable inconvenience for passengers, who regularly use minibuses and express buses to get to work, as not everyone has the ability to work remotely from home. 

After the announced changes, the RMS has received passengers’ claims about routes No. 203, 204, 214, 263 and 271 are closed on weekends. These routes cover unique connections to important institutions for citizens. We apologies to passengers for the inconvenience. Please be understanding, that the changes have been made to limit the distribution of the COVID-19.

RMS approve the changes, considering the declared state of emergency, but the public transport should be available for passengers, who have to get to the workplaces, and minimize the unnecessary social contact as possible.