CeHs.lv: Public transport forced me to buy a car

In an opinion piece published on Delfi, Kristaps Āls from the think tank "CeHs.lv" reveals that after many years of principle support for public transport, he has finally decided to buy a private car. He notes that he has always been critical of overly optimistic campaigns that encourage switching to public transport while ignoring passenger convenience and comfort. Āls emphasizes that outside Rīga and its surroundings, intercity trains are outdated, buses are worn out, and stops are in poor condition.

He criticizes that public transport promotion uses terms like "sustainability" and "positive environmental impact" but fails to address the actual travel experience. As an exception, Āls mentions Rīga and Pierīga, where the new "ViVi" trains operate, but points out that even here the situation is unsatisfactory – the first trains purchased with European funds should have been already worn out by now, but that has not yet happened.

The author adds that on the Rīga-Valga route, passengers have to use a train where the conductor might have been working since its 50-year anniversary. Overall, he concludes that public transport "forced" him to buy a car, as long-term use did not provide the expected comfort and convenience.