Pasažieru vilciens Plans to Lease Estonian Diesel Trains for Daugavpils Route

Planned Lease and Test Run

AS Pasažieru vilciens (PV), operating under the brand Vivi, plans to lease modern diesel trains from the Estonian operator Eesti Liinirongid (brand Elron). On June 28–29, the two companies conducted a technical test run to Daugavpils to check the suitability of the Stadler Flirt trains for the route.

Elron's chairman Lauri Betlem confirmed the test run was successful, verifying the technical compatibility of the rolling stock. He noted that the project is attractive because it would allow more efficient use of the time the Tallinn–Tartu–Riga train spends idle in Riga overnight.

Service Improvement on the Daugavpils Route

PV aims to lease one train to provide the last evening service from Riga to Daugavpils and the first morning service from Daugavpils to Riga. This line is the second busiest in PV's diesel network, after the Valga–Riga route, which currently uses a PESA diesel train leased from Lithuania's LTG Link.

PV chairman Raitis Nešpors emphasized that the modernization of rolling stock on electrified lines (serving nearly 90% of passengers) is complete. Although the Autotransporta direkcija has signed a contract for nine battery trains for non-electrified lines, expected by the end of 2029, PV is seeking immediate alternatives to improve service to Daugavpils sooner.

Procurement and Train Specifications

The company plans to hold a procurement for leasing trains to secure modern rolling stock that will reduce travel time and enhance passenger comfort. The Stadler Flirt diesel trains are low-floor, with a maximum speed of 160 km/h. They feature automatic climate control, free Wi-Fi (with Starlink connectivity on the Tallinn–Riga route), wheelchair spaces, bicycle racks, and an accessible toilet with a baby changing table.

Passenger Statistics

In 2025, PV carried 21.333 million passengers, a 9.7% increase over 2024. The company was established in 2001, separating domestic passenger services from the functions of Latvijas dzelzceļš.