Public Transport

Riga has four methods of public transportation – tram, trolleybus, bus and rail.

Tram, trolley and bus

Public transport operates between 5:30 and 23:30. Timetables, fares and purchase information are available in Latvian, Russian and English at www.rigassatiksme.lv. The web-site also provides information on the price of tickets and where they can be purchased.

An e-ticket can be used on all "Rigas satiksme" buses, trolleys and trams, and is a modern and convenient way to pay for public transportation services in the city. An e-ticket allows passengers to save time, and you do not need the exact change to purchase one. It is possible to get information on the various types of e-tickets and prices at www.rigassatiksme.lv (Latvian, English, Russian).

Transit bus No 22 operates between Riga International Airport and the city centre.

Passengers without a valid ticket are subject to penalty fare of 20 to 50 euros.Scheme of public transport of Riga can be bought in the Tourist Information Centre in the Blackheads House, in Rātslaukums Square,  it costs EUR 2,00. Find out more about the scheme of public transport of Riga at www.rigatransit.lv.

Rail transport

It is also possible to get around Riga by rail, which costs EUR 0,70 per ride within city limits. It is possible to see a route map of rail transportation within Riga city limits, as well as timetables at www.pv.lv (Latvian, English, Russian).

Many people use rail transportation to reach the coastal resort town of Jurmala, which is only several kilometers outside of Riga’s city limits. It must be taken into account that there are several rail stops in Jurmala. The most popular are Lielupe, Bulduri, Dzintari, Majori and Dubulti. A one-way ticket to Jurmala station "Majori" costs about EUR 1,40.

Hotlines and emergencies

In any emergency situation you should call the free number 112, as this is the contact number for the emergency services. This number can be used to contact police, fire brigade, ambulance, and gas emergency services. Operators can take calls in Latvian, Russian, English, and German.

It works out cheaper to use the 1188 information service homepage at www.1188.lv, which is also available in English and Russian.

Riga State Police also have a special Tourism Division who ensure public order and inform visitors to the city of the accepted rules of behaviour in Riga, as well as providing information to foreign visitors on how to get assistance in the event of various mishaps and accidents.

The Tourism Police work throughout the city; however, the majority of patrols take place in Old Riga. A 24-hour information hotline is available for foreigners at +371 67181818, which provides essential information in English and Russian.

There are various other information hotlines in Riga, which usually charge a fee:

• A wide range of information can be obtained in Latvian, Russian, and English by calling 1180 and 1189.

It is also worth learning a few more telephone numbers which could be useful in specific emergencies (available in Latvian, Russian, and English):

• psychological help in crisis situations – 67222922;
• SOS search and rescue at sea – 67323103.

Other hotlines which operate in the Latvian and Russian languages:

• 24-hour veterinary assistance – 26539900;
• Emergency unlocking of car locks, doors, and safes – 29212680. 

(Source: www.liveriga.com)