For the first time in the history of independent Lithuania: after 12 noon. An express arrived from Tallinn on a trip to Vilnius

A special Baltic rail express was held on the Tallinn-Riga-Vilnius route to mark the European Year of Railways.

According to Mantas Bartuška, Director General of Lithuanian Railways, who traveled with Delfi, the train journey from Tallinn to Vilnius was interrupted some 30 years ago due to insufficient demand.

“Now, for the first time in the history of Independence, we have organized a train from Tallinn to Vilnius as a single unit. Until then, we have not organized such a train because there are doubts about the market potential. would people really drive at 10 o’clock when there are alternatives by plane, car? ”he said.

M. Bartuška pointed out that Rail Baltica should create new opportunities in 2026. “We will be able to reach Vilnius from Tallinn in 4 hours. It is true that we can try to make several trips until then”, considered the interlocutor.

The Minister of Transport and Communications, Marius Skuodis, who was traveling together, was surprised that, even for a train, the Baltic States had to solve many bureaucratic problems.

“I hope it’s easier with Rail Baltica. In fact, even for this train … I couldn’t believe there could be so many bureaucratic hurdles, disruptions. Let’s not hide, very important political steps were taken. Not just from the Baltic ministers. , but also from the European Commission so that this train can circulate.

Obstacles and obstacles and an explanation why we have a train between the capitals of the Baltic countries for the first time, although if you think about it, the connection of Vilnius and Riga by train should have already been, ”said the minister.

In turn, Vilnius Mayor Remigijus Šimašius noted that residents of the capital should probably benefit more from Rail Baltica.

“I would say that Vilnius and Kaunas, as well as all of Lithuania, are the main winners of Rail Baltica. It has to be agreed that there will not be many passengers from Tallinn to Warsaw. Many will tend to take a flight. At that time, the Tallinn connection -Vilnius is quite close, and Vilnius-Warsaw is also close.

I have no doubt that Vilnius residents will make up the bulk of Rail Baltica’s passengers. Both with regard to Vilnius-Kaunas communication, as well as in Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn and Warsaw, ”he said.

As you know, the Rail Baltica project should be completed in 2026 and connect the capitals of the Baltic States with the European 1435mm rail network.

Lithuanians drove

At the beginning of the trip, on Tuesday morning in Tallinn, M. Bartuška said that there were some problems in the organization of the train between Lithuanian, Latvian and Estonian colleagues, but that in the end they were resolved.

“It just came to our attention then. This could be a new beginning for closer cooperation between the Baltic States. The train is driven by two Lithuanians Linas and Erikas. They are assisted by Latvian and Estonian instructors Artūras, Oliveris and Sergejus. They do history, ”he said.

At 8:49 a.m. a passenger train from Tallinn was made in Poland. Bartuška said he could drive up to 140 kilometers per hour.

“Today, the maximum speed reached will be 120 km / h. We have 150 seats, ”he said.

The first stop (50 min.) Was waiting for the Estonian university city of Tartu, which in 2024 will be declared the European Capital of Culture. This was followed by a brief stop at the Estonian-Latvian border. As M. Bartuška explained, Estonian instructors got off the train during his time.

“Our train is driven by Lithuanian pilots. However, when passing through Estonia, Estonian instructors drove as technical assistance, consultations. Latvian instructors passed through Latvia. If there are doubts about whether something will happen, please react faster,” he said.

They stopped for another hour in Riga, where a new train station construction capsule was scheduled to be buried.

Ms Bartuška said that in the future, the experience of traveling on Rail Baltica should be completely different, first of all, due to the speed.

“Now the maximum speed was 120 km / h. We will be able to drive at a speed of 250 km / h on the Rail Baltica connection. T. y. Twice as fast. High-speed trains will be produced later, which will allow, with new technologies, have more comfort and adapt to long journeys. This train is not suitable for long journeys, we use it for the route between Vilnius and Klaipėda, “said the head of Lietuvos Geležinkeliai.

The issue of financing

Mr. Skuodis also spoke about the new experience for the people of the Baltic countries. “Currently only 37 percent. Latvians and Estonians have traveled by high-speed train, only 27% of Lithuanians. At that time, today’s train shows the potential of economic integration that we will be able to achieve. Together, we will integrate into a common European rail network, ”he said.

However, the minister also warned of financial risks.

“We have to estimate that overall construction prices have risen recently. Financing problems remain until the end of the project. I don’t want to mention the amount of the financing gap, because it largely depends on the financing we receive under the framework. of the European Union mechanism.

The scenario can be optimistic and pessimistic. However, we need to secure funding for Rail Baltica to operate in 2026-2027. We need to have rails in 2026. It is possible to do this in Lithuania. Poland should do the same by 2027.

As for our connection to Riga and Tallinn, we are already on the right track towards the Latvian border, and both the design and the acquisition are underway. Today we will bury the capsule at Riga station. But the most important thing is to have rails. Then we can drive without stations. That’s the most important thing.

I hope we do not have any delays with Rail Baltica. I hope that together with the EC we will solve all the problems related to financial “gaps”, said the Minister.

Mr. Skuodis also emphasized that the management of the future Rail Baltica infrastructure must remain in the hands of the state.

“However, considering that the carriers are not only the Baltic States, but also Poland and Finland, it is important that the direction operates in a comprehensive way. In other words, anyone who wants to use Rail Baltica to provide services will travel to any country. , and since all the parameters have been harmonized, this could work very easily.

As a result, expert-level discussions are now taking place, and the prime ministers of the three Baltic states have instructed the ministers to decide. There are a lot of technical details, ”he said.

The station will be ready

R. Šimašius said that the winners of the tender for the renovation of the Vilnius railway station should be announced very soon.

“I hope that after the announcement, as it should be, we will sign the contract in about a month and can start designing.

The design will also take a long time, at least a year, and then the work will be contracted out. It should be ready for the actual Rail Baltica launch. We work very closely with the Lithuanian railways and have coordinated projects. So, I think it will be just in time, “he said.

The mayor considered that train travel should be more attractive in the future.

“In the future, when choosing between car, plane and train, the latter alternative will be much more attractive. Less than 4 o’clock, as promised with Rail Baltica, would be a breakthrough. It would be possible to have business trips, entertainment, a weekend trip, “said R. Šimašius.

During the journey from Tallinn to Vilnius, the train also discussed the role and contribution of railways to the socio-economic development and sustainable mobility of the European regions, the urban development prospects of the railway station areas and transport opportunities. of freight on Rail Baltica and the North Sea. transportation corridors.