Valmiera Bus Procurement Dispute Reaches Supreme Court
After Autotransporta direkcija published a photo of new buses, a losing bidder spotted a possible violation of tender terms, sparking litigation that has now reached the Supreme Court.
On September 7, 2025, Autotransporta direkcija announced an open tender for regional route operators. In part 2, covering the Sigulda and Limbaži areas, VTU Valmiera Ltd. was declared the winner.
Shortly after, the directorate published a photo of buses intended for these routes. Another participant that did not win the tender saw a possible breach of the procurement rules, even fraud, in the image. This observation triggered a lengthy legal battle.
The case has now reached the Supreme Court, raising questions about how far public procurement winners may deviate from their commitments.
