Transport

 THE STREET AND ARTERIAL ROAD NETWORK

The street and arterial road network in the central zone that was developed at least 150 years ago will never be able to accommodate today's increasing traffic. The biggest problem in Riga at present is the fragmented character of arterial roads. During the Soviet period several arterial road sections were built most of which are not connected in one network and occasionally they are in accidental and unnecessary places. Opinions on vehicle transport in the Old Town have been changing over time.

Special attention in Riga is paid to transport organization in Old Riga. At all times, Old Riga has been the most presentable part of the capital focussing on business and tourism. At all times, this part of the city has been housing concentrated trade, business and culture related events; in order to provide functioning of such objects, the use of motor vehicles is unavoidable, thus causing transport problems.

In the course of time, opinions regarding the use of transport in Old Riga has undergone changes, from absolute ban of motor vehicles, to free traffic flow, including public transport as well. Old Riga has experienced all development stages of public transport from horse-drawn trams to electrified tram, trolley-bus and bus. Already in 1977, the issue regarding certain necessary restrictions of transport in Old Riga went under discussion, while serious restrictions were imposed in 1994 when the decision of the Riga Municipality was made to restrict the traffic flow. In 1996, the historical part of the town was granted a status of special regime zone, specifying borders within which the Riga Municipality regulates the procedure for ingress of motor vehicles and the municipal fee for such ingress.

Ingress into Old Riga is performed through five control points upon presentation of special permanent or single passes. Permanent passes for legal entities and single passes are pay passes, but inhabitants permanently residing or having a property in Old Riga receive such passes free of charge.

Betterment of the transport system in Old Riga should secure causing minimum obstacles to visual perception and find an acceptable balance between ecology and transport, ensuring viability of Old Riga and its preservation for future generations.