RIGA, Aug 12 (LETA) - More than 30 representatives of regional public transport companies took part in a protest at the Cabinet of Ministers building on Tuesday to call on the government to compensate for the companies' increasing costs caused by unforeseen extraordinary circumstances, LETA observed.

The protesters were holding various placards, including "Closing Routes Will Not Solve Anything!", "Pay For Our Work!", "Prices And Wages Are Rising. Who Will Compensate Our Losses?", and others.

The protesters also placed six bus seats in front of the Cabinet building, and several buses and minibuses, also carrying different placards, passed by the Cabinet of Ministers during the protest.

The protest was peaceful and quiet as the protesters did not chant any slogans. About five police officers were at the scene to observe the rally.

The Association of Latvian Passenger Carriers' President Ivo Osenieks told LETA that one of the solutions to regional public transport problems would be to allocate an additional EUR 15 million to regional carriers from the state budget, as well as to review contracts signed with regional carriers. If the current situation is not addressed, the worst-case scenario could be several carriers' insolvency, as they are losing money every day.

Regional public carriers have been calling on the government to review the amounts of long-term contracts signed with the carriers, pointing out that energy prices, spare parts and tire prices have increased significantly since February 2022, vehicle and rental costs have risen by up to 19 percent, staff wages have increased, and excise duty on diesel has been raised as of this year.