Riga, March 13 (LETA) - Rigas Satiksme municipal public transport company plans to conclude a contract for delivery of 120 buses by the end of the year, representatives of Rigas Satiksme confirmed to LETA.

The company said that a market research on the purchase of 18-metre-long buses has been completed and consultations with suppliers have been announced. A total of 120 buses are planned to be purchased, including 60 electric buses and 60 diesel buses.

Ten potential bus manufacturers have expressed interest in the procurement, some of which have applied to provide both diesel and electric buses.

The 120 buses are expected to cost around EUR 60-65 million. The company plans to borrow from a bank to buy the buses, and will also look into whether European Union (EU) funding could be attracted for the electric buses, the company said.

The terms of the consultation state that the 60 electric buses and their spare parts will have to be delivered within 24 to 30 months from the date of conclusion of the procurement contract, while the diesel buses will have to be delivered within 18 months from the date of conclusion of the procurement contract.

The procurement is expected to be launched in April 2026.

The purpose of the consultation is to provide interested suppliers with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the basic conditions of the planned procurement and to receive suggestions from interested suppliers for improving the procurement documents.

Rigas Satiksme turnover in 2024, excluding state and municipal budget subsidies, was EUR 52.423 million, but the company's profit was EUR 1.75 million.

Rigas Satiksme provides passenger transport by buses, trams and trolleybuses in Riga, and manages parking lots on the city's streets. The company is wholly owned by Riga City Council.