Foto: BB.LV / салон поезда
### They promised to launch it by the end of the year, but there is still no train Direct railway communication between Daugavpils and the capital of Lithuania ceased about five years ago. Previously, the train ran on weekends, and the journey to Vilnius took less than three hours, reports [TV3 News](https://tv3.lv/zinas/latvija/sabiedriba/vai-vilciens-daugavpils-vilna-atgriezisies-solijumi-ir-bet-skaidribas-joprojam-nav/). In August of this year, there was hope for the restoration of the route. The head of the Passenger Train company (Vivi) announced plans to resume services by the end of the year. The mayor of Daugavpils mentioned similar timelines. It was then assumed that the rolling stock would be provided by the Lithuanian side, specifically mentioning modern Pesa trains. However, after several months, there is still no concrete decision regarding the launch of the route. Vivi now admits that it is impossible to guarantee the start of operations by the end of the year. > "We cannot assert this with one hundred percent certainty right now," said the company's representative, Dace Zaldate-Rozentale. According to her, the company is conducting a procurement process for the rental of diesel trains. The acceptance of proposals has already ended, and now the carrier is evaluating the applications and financial capabilities. Thus, it has not even been determined which company will rent the trains for the new route. ### The train reaches almost to the border — then you have to walk Currently, the train from Vilnius reaches the Lithuanian station Turmantas, located about half a kilometer from the Latvian border. The railway tracks continue further towards Daugavpils, but passenger trains do not run on this section. On the Latvian side, there is a closed railway station Zemgale. Local residents report that the lack of direct communication creates inconveniences for passengers on both sides of the border. For example, some people travel from Daugavpils by bus to Zemgale, and then walk to Turmantas to transfer to the train to Vilnius. Lithuanians visiting relatives in Latvia travel in a similar manner. > "They get off in Turmantas, walk two kilometers to our bus stop in Zemgale, and only then go to Daugavpils. Their relatives live there," said local resident Anfisa. According to her, a direct train would spare passengers the need to combine several modes of transport and cover part of the distance on foot. ### "They promised in the summer, but it hasn’t been restored" For residents of border towns, railway communication is important not only from a tourist perspective. The nearest major city for many remains Daugavpils, where they have to regularly go for groceries and everyday matters. Therefore, the restoration of services could significantly ease the lives of local residents. > "I could go to the city; we go there for groceries. They promised to restore this route in June or July, but it hasn’t been restored," Anfisa lamented. The woman hopes that at least the promise of a launch by the end of the year will be fulfilled. > "And what if they restored it by the end of the year? That would be wonderful!" she added. ### Closer to Vilnius than to Riga The total length of the route Vilnius – Turmantas – Daugavpils is over 170 kilometers. Meanwhile, the distance between Turmantas and Daugavpils is only about 26 kilometers. It is on this section that passenger railway communication is currently absent. Residents of Daugavpils remember well the times when it was possible to reach the Lithuanian capital without transfers. > "Such a train used to run; I traveled to Vilnius on it myself. It’s closer and faster to Vilnius than to Riga," said local resident Evgeny. In his opinion, the restored route would be convenient for both business trips and for travel or shopping. Another resident of Daugavpils, Galina, also supports the idea of returning the direct train. "I think it would be nice," she said, adding that she would gladly use such communication if necessary. ### A decision is promised in mid-November Despite the uncertainty regarding rolling stock and financing, the idea of restoring the route has not been abandoned yet. The Lithuanian passenger railway company informed journalists that by mid-November it should be known whether the Vilnius – Daugavpils train can be launched before the end of 2026. Thus, the project has about two months left until the previously announced deadline, but there is still no final decision. For residents of the border area, this means continuing to make their usual trips with transfers — despite the fact that railway tracks between the two countries exist and have previously been used for direct passenger communication.
