@briedisunanonims.bsky.social
Though in Riga in already in 1938–1940 a lot of effort was put into analyzing the public transport network, exploring the best practices of Europe (Helsinki, Oslo, Zurich) and looking to improve our network.
So perhaps they became also aware of stop impact and already had thoughts about it
So perhaps they became also aware of stop impact and already had thoughts about it
February 7, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Though in Riga in already in 1938–1940 a lot of effort was put into analyzing the public transport network, exploring the best practices of Europe (Helsinki, Oslo, Zurich) and looking to improve our network.
So perhaps they became also aware of stop impact and already had thoughts about it
So perhaps they became also aware of stop impact and already had thoughts about it
Some factors which I assume impacted stop spacing:
1) Less tram stops = less impact on car traffic (cars were not a consideration until 1950s, but a huge consideration from the 1950s)
2) The introduction of doors on trams (until 1950s we didn't have doors)
1) Less tram stops = less impact on car traffic (cars were not a consideration until 1950s, but a huge consideration from the 1950s)
2) The introduction of doors on trams (until 1950s we didn't have doors)
February 7, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Some factors which I assume impacted stop spacing:
1) Less tram stops = less impact on car traffic (cars were not a consideration until 1950s, but a huge consideration from the 1950s)
2) The introduction of doors on trams (until 1950s we didn't have doors)
1) Less tram stops = less impact on car traffic (cars were not a consideration until 1950s, but a huge consideration from the 1950s)
2) The introduction of doors on trams (until 1950s we didn't have doors)
In Riga it was introduced from 1940s (during German occupation, funnily enough) - as I assume a war time economy measure - and I assume continued until the 1950s or 60s
February 7, 2026 at 6:42 PM
In Riga it was introduced from 1940s (during German occupation, funnily enough) - as I assume a war time economy measure - and I assume continued until the 1950s or 60s
23 km/h *is* insanely high – almost as if having no cars and traffic lights is the key to fast trams!
By 1960s tram speed dropped to 15,9–16,7 km/h and stayed like that until 2020.
Now it's been increased to over 18 km/h.
By 1960s tram speed dropped to 15,9–16,7 km/h and stayed like that until 2020.
Now it's been increased to over 18 km/h.
February 7, 2026 at 6:40 PM
23 km/h *is* insanely high – almost as if having no cars and traffic lights is the key to fast trams!
By 1960s tram speed dropped to 15,9–16,7 km/h and stayed like that until 2020.
Now it's been increased to over 18 km/h.
By 1960s tram speed dropped to 15,9–16,7 km/h and stayed like that until 2020.
Now it's been increased to over 18 km/h.
:D
Yeees! :)
Yeees! :)
February 7, 2026 at 6:13 PM
:D
Yeees! :)
Yeees! :)
A 1939 interview: The [Riga] transport board is often blamed that the speed of our trams is too low. However, in my trips abroad I've seen that our tram average speed – 23km/h is much higher than that of other largest Western European city tram speed of 15–17 km/h.
February 7, 2026 at 6:13 PM
A 1939 interview: The [Riga] transport board is often blamed that the speed of our trams is too low. However, in my trips abroad I've seen that our tram average speed – 23km/h is much higher than that of other largest Western European city tram speed of 15–17 km/h.
(but this image is the rare image where you actually have stops marked! most are white circles to mark request stops, black circles are obligatory stops)
February 7, 2026 at 6:07 PM
(but this image is the rare image where you actually have stops marked! most are white circles to mark request stops, black circles are obligatory stops)
(an example)
February 7, 2026 at 6:06 PM
(an example)
It's cool that you have timetables. In the old days, we haven't had timetables for trams AFAIK. Just the first and last departures and the interval. So I don't know the speed.
(Except the average speed on the network is sometimes published)
(Except the average speed on the network is sometimes published)
February 7, 2026 at 6:04 PM
It's cool that you have timetables. In the old days, we haven't had timetables for trams AFAIK. Just the first and last departures and the interval. So I don't know the speed.
(Except the average speed on the network is sometimes published)
(Except the average speed on the network is sometimes published)
Oh, that's cool!
I'm always sad about the reduction of frequency in Riga (probably same in the US). Was trams every 4-5 mins, now it's 10-30 mins most of the day :D
I'm always sad about the reduction of frequency in Riga (probably same in the US). Was trams every 4-5 mins, now it's 10-30 mins most of the day :D
February 7, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Oh, that's cool!
I'm always sad about the reduction of frequency in Riga (probably same in the US). Was trams every 4-5 mins, now it's 10-30 mins most of the day :D
I'm always sad about the reduction of frequency in Riga (probably same in the US). Was trams every 4-5 mins, now it's 10-30 mins most of the day :D
Plus, we have a national digital database of historical documents which include municipal decisions to make more stops request stops and then – to close and consolidate certain stops
February 7, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Plus, we have a national digital database of historical documents which include municipal decisions to make more stops request stops and then – to close and consolidate certain stops
yeah, for Riga it's also usually just route maps, because back then stops were very often and not worth showing
A detailed transport guide from 1936 exists and was auctioned, and I downloaded the few publicly available images.
A detailed transport guide from 1936 exists and was auctioned, and I downloaded the few publicly available images.
February 7, 2026 at 6:00 PM
yeah, for Riga it's also usually just route maps, because back then stops were very often and not worth showing
A detailed transport guide from 1936 exists and was auctioned, and I downloaded the few publicly available images.
A detailed transport guide from 1936 exists and was auctioned, and I downloaded the few publicly available images.
If we look at 1936 route map, Brīvības street had stops every 150-300 m, now it's 500–700 m.
The number of stops from Freedom monument to Biķernieku iela has been reduced from 16 to 8.
(Though now I count bus stops, as the tram was moved to a parallel street. It has 10 stops for the same distance)
The number of stops from Freedom monument to Biķernieku iela has been reduced from 16 to 8.
(Though now I count bus stops, as the tram was moved to a parallel street. It has 10 stops for the same distance)
February 7, 2026 at 5:56 PM
If we look at 1936 route map, Brīvības street had stops every 150-300 m, now it's 500–700 m.
The number of stops from Freedom monument to Biķernieku iela has been reduced from 16 to 8.
(Though now I count bus stops, as the tram was moved to a parallel street. It has 10 stops for the same distance)
The number of stops from Freedom monument to Biķernieku iela has been reduced from 16 to 8.
(Though now I count bus stops, as the tram was moved to a parallel street. It has 10 stops for the same distance)
In Riga there was consolidation. Stops used to be closer in the 1930s. Consolidation from 1940s onwards
February 7, 2026 at 5:43 PM
In Riga there was consolidation. Stops used to be closer in the 1930s. Consolidation from 1940s onwards
I guess most consolidation happened around 1940s.
In 1930s stops were quite a bit closer, gradually more and more stops were made request stops, then in WWII and after WWII some stops were consolidated for efficiency to get the current 400-500m.
In 1930s stops were quite a bit closer, gradually more and more stops were made request stops, then in WWII and after WWII some stops were consolidated for efficiency to get the current 400-500m.
February 7, 2026 at 5:42 PM
I guess most consolidation happened around 1940s.
In 1930s stops were quite a bit closer, gradually more and more stops were made request stops, then in WWII and after WWII some stops were consolidated for efficiency to get the current 400-500m.
In 1930s stops were quite a bit closer, gradually more and more stops were made request stops, then in WWII and after WWII some stops were consolidated for efficiency to get the current 400-500m.
Funnily enough, the 3rd place actually had the stops consolidated like that already during WWII but for some reason was reversed back sometime after – and consolidated back only in the 2020s
February 7, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Funnily enough, the 3rd place actually had the stops consolidated like that already during WWII but for some reason was reversed back sometime after – and consolidated back only in the 2020s
Ours is mostly 400-500 m so there's not much consolidation. But 3 examples we have:
1) 300-300 to 600
2) 500-300-500 to 650-650
3) 300-300-300 to 450-450
1) 300-300 to 600
2) 500-300-500 to 650-650
3) 300-300-300 to 450-450
February 7, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Ours is mostly 400-500 m so there's not much consolidation. But 3 examples we have:
1) 300-300 to 600
2) 500-300-500 to 650-650
3) 300-300-300 to 450-450
1) 300-300 to 600
2) 500-300-500 to 650-650
3) 300-300-300 to 450-450
One thing Riga does when building accessible level boarding tram stops is also consolidating tram stops. It's a good incentive – building actual platforms (instead of boarding from street) costs money so less stops is cheaper.
February 7, 2026 at 5:24 PM
One thing Riga does when building accessible level boarding tram stops is also consolidating tram stops. It's a good incentive – building actual platforms (instead of boarding from street) costs money so less stops is cheaper.
Phase 1 should include:
Tallinn - Riga bypass (station in a field near Salaspils) - Kaunas
Though by the current progress it seems that by 2030 only your mentioned sections (or until LV border) will be finished
Tallinn - Riga bypass (station in a field near Salaspils) - Kaunas
Though by the current progress it seems that by 2030 only your mentioned sections (or until LV border) will be finished
February 2, 2026 at 8:37 AM
Phase 1 should include:
Tallinn - Riga bypass (station in a field near Salaspils) - Kaunas
Though by the current progress it seems that by 2030 only your mentioned sections (or until LV border) will be finished
Tallinn - Riga bypass (station in a field near Salaspils) - Kaunas
Though by the current progress it seems that by 2030 only your mentioned sections (or until LV border) will be finished
Yes.
As well as:
1) No connection to Riga in phase 1 (and unsure if ever) (my biggest concern)
2) No link Kaunas-Vilnius
3) Unclear about Kaunas-PL border
As well as:
1) No connection to Riga in phase 1 (and unsure if ever) (my biggest concern)
2) No link Kaunas-Vilnius
3) Unclear about Kaunas-PL border
January 31, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Yes.
As well as:
1) No connection to Riga in phase 1 (and unsure if ever) (my biggest concern)
2) No link Kaunas-Vilnius
3) Unclear about Kaunas-PL border
As well as:
1) No connection to Riga in phase 1 (and unsure if ever) (my biggest concern)
2) No link Kaunas-Vilnius
3) Unclear about Kaunas-PL border
More about the downscale of infrastructure solutions – the project itself is already downscaled.
But a main issue is the lack of funding to build, as the coordinator points out.
But a main issue is the lack of funding to build, as the coordinator points out.
January 30, 2026 at 8:16 PM
More about the downscale of infrastructure solutions – the project itself is already downscaled.
But a main issue is the lack of funding to build, as the coordinator points out.
But a main issue is the lack of funding to build, as the coordinator points out.
Does it also state that municipalities can have increased speed limits (on periphery arterials and urban expressways)? Because then you have a rule that has exceptions in both directions and becomes quite meaningless. Such a rule has no real meaning.
January 27, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Does it also state that municipalities can have increased speed limits (on periphery arterials and urban expressways)? Because then you have a rule that has exceptions in both directions and becomes quite meaningless. Such a rule has no real meaning.
Unrelated pic – a 30 km/h suburban stroad with just one sign indicating said speed limit, the view to which may or may not be blocked by a bus at any given moment
January 27, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Unrelated pic – a 30 km/h suburban stroad with just one sign indicating said speed limit, the view to which may or may not be blocked by a bus at any given moment
(though that does go against one of the Dutch sustainable safety principles, which is homogeneity – thus each municipality and even each street may get a slightly different and inconsistent treatment)
January 27, 2026 at 3:12 PM
(though that does go against one of the Dutch sustainable safety principles, which is homogeneity – thus each municipality and even each street may get a slightly different and inconsistent treatment)