RIGA, Sept 24 (LETA) - The National Alliance faction of the Jurmala City Council is going table a proposal not to charge the entrance toll on motor vehicles in winter, the faction informed LETA.

Andris Cuda, chair of the National Alliance faction, said that it is necessary to achieve a balance between municipal budget revenue and business opportunities in the city.

"During the winter season, when visitor arrivals are significantly lower, removing or reducing the entrance toll would help make Jurmala more accessible, boosting tourism activity and ensuring the viability of local businesses," Cuda argues.

The National Alliance will also propose exempting employees of Jurmala-based enterprises who live outside the city from paying the toll.

As reported, the National Alliance has objected to raising the toll, which is charged on motor vehicles entering Jurmala.

The Jurmala City Council is scheduled to decide on hiking the toll at a meeting on Thursday, September 25.

The City Council is planning to increase Jurmala entrance toll to EUR 5, according to a bill submitted for public discussion in the city.

According to the legislation, one-day entrance toll would rise from EUR 3 to EUR 5, seven-day (weekly) toll from EUR 10 to EUR 20, 30-day (monthly) toll from EUR 31 to EUR 60, 90-day (three-month) toll from EUR 55 to EUR 100, 180-day (half-year) toll from EUR 107 to EUR 180, and 365-day (annual) toll to EUR 270.

Due to low demand, the city also plans to abolish the 270-day toll, which currently costs EUR 150.

Jurmala entrance toll was last raised on February 1, 2024, and has since been charged year-round, not only during the summer months.