How to use public transport in Riga?

Yes, it’s confusing, because there’s different system of paying for tickets, also there’s no way to find out what kind of stops the transport has on its way besides the first and the last stop. Well, if you speak some Latvian, you can find it out on internet, not very practical if you are already walking down the streets. Also, don’t rely on timetable unless you are at the last stop or very close to it, traffic jams and driver’s I-don’t-give-a-fuck attitude makes timetables very approximate. Bus, trolleybus and tram costs 0.40 Ls per ride. There’s no day travelcard in Riga. On a tram and trolleybus you need to buy ticket before boarding, otherwise you can buy it from a driver for 0.50 Ls. Tickets can be bought in newsagent’s shops, such as Nervessen or Pluspunkts, but you might find it difficult to spot one outside the center. Once you get on board you put your ticket in a yellow puncher, it will stamp some numbers. Ticket control is quite often, so make sure you don’t lose your ticket. On a bus there’s different system – you buy your ticket from a conductor. When your stop is approaching, make sure you stand next to the door well in advance, because in Latvia, once the transport stops and the doors open, driver’s don’t wait while you pop up your ass and linger towards exit. If nobody is at the doors while the stop approaches, it might even keep driving. In public transport most old people (pensioners, also smelly alcoholics) crowd at the topside of the transport, so better sit/stand somewhere in the middle.

Mini bus in Riga

In Riga there’s also a popular way of transport – maršruta taksometri, which means “mini route cabs” or “small buses” with 11-12 seats that normally take similar routes as main public transport, but much faster and with less stops (actually it will stop whenever you ask the driver). You buy your ticket from a driver (the price depends on a route, but is usually between 0.40-0.70 Ls within Riga), it is very common that the driver doesn’t issue you a ticket.

Tags: transport riga bus tram trolleybus tickets route timeta