MINSK, 20 March (BelTA) – The rail freight traffic between Belarus and Latvia increased by 15.9% in January-February 2017, BelTA learned from the press center of Belarusian Railways.
“Head of Belarusian Railways Vladimir Morozov will meet with Latvian Railways President Edvins Berzins in Riga on 23-24 March. The parties will discuss a number of topical matters of bilateral cooperation and review the results of 2016 in terms of the transportation of passengers and cargo between Belarus and Latvia. They will consider ways to strengthen the relations, improve the coordination in part of cargo, freight and passenger cars, enhance the work of engine crews in the near-border regions, and develop information exchange,” the press center said.
The Belarus-Latvia rail transport service accounts for 24% of Belarusian Railways' international operations. “Some 21.6 million tonnes of cargo was carried between Belarus and Latvia in 2016. The Belarus-Latvia service transported 4.2 million tonnes of cargo in January and February 2017, up by 15.9% from the same period of 2016,” the press center noted.
The railway administrations of Belarus and Latvia have stepped up cooperation in information exchange. The parties are considering introducing electronic transport documents as part of the effort to optimize the freight and commercial strategies and improve the quality of railway services.
Passenger train No. 87/88 Minsk-Riga runs once in two days. In 2016, passenger numbers exceeded 25,000. “To increase the demand for the train service, Belarusian Railways launched special marketing initiatives and offered discounts in 2016. The effort to promote passenger rail service between the capitals of Belarus and Latvia will continue,” the press center added.
The Belarusian delegation will be familiarized with the infrastructure and new technologies of the Riga railway junction and Freeport of Riga terminals.
