Vivi

Vivi is the operating brand of AS Pasažieru vilciens, Latvia's national passenger railway company and the country's sole domestic passenger rail operator. The legal company was established in November 2001 by combining two passenger-rail subsidiaries of Latvijas Dzelzceļš: PPU Elektrovilciens, which handled electric services, and PPU Dīzeļvilciens, which handled diesel services. Its creation separated passenger operations from the wider infrastructure and freight activities of Latvijas Dzelzceļš. Although initially wholly owned by Latvijas Dzelzceļš, Pasažieru vilciens became an independent state-owned company in October 2008, with the Latvian Ministry of Transport acting as shareholder. The company is based in Riga and operates an extensive domestic network extending from the capital to coastal, suburban and regional destinations. Its services historically combined electric multiple-unit trains on the most intensively used corridors around Riga with diesel multiple-unit services on longer, non-electrified routes. The electric network includes the lines from Riga toward Skulte, Tukums, Jelgava and Aizkraukle. Diesel services have connected Riga with destinations including Liepāja, Daugavpils, Krāslava, Indra, Rēzekne, Zilupe, Madona, Gulbene, Sigulda, Valmiera and Valga in Estonia. Some former routes, including services to Ērgļi, Reņģe and Ventspils, were discontinued before the Vivi rebrand. Pasažieru vilciens employed 1,075 people in 2017 and carried 18.6 million passengers in 2019. Its central operating base is Riga, while the network's principal stations include Riga, Jelgava, Daugavpils, Liepāja, Rēzekne, Sigulda, Valmiera, Tukums, Ogre, Aizkraukle, Saulkrasti and Skulte. The company also applies a supplementary €1 fee when a passenger buys a ticket from a conductor aboard a train, provided the departure station was open and ticket sales were available there. On 29 November 2023, the company introduced Vivi as its public-facing name and began a visual rebrand using signal yellow, anthracite grey and dark grey. The name refers to the Latvian phrase vienā vilcienā, conveying ideas such as travelling together or being on one train. The rebrand accompanied the entry into service of new Škoda 16Ev electric multiple units. The legal corporate name, AS Pasažieru vilciens, was retained, and the transition was planned to be completed by the end of 2024. The modernization of the electric fleet was the brand's most important recent transformation. After earlier procurement attempts involving CAF and Stadler were cancelled or challenged, Škoda Vagonka was selected following a contested tender. A contract signed in July 2019 covered 32 four-car electric trains, each designed for approximately 436 seated and 450 standing passengers, together with maintenance equipment, spare parts and staff training. Delivery was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, production issues and the consequences of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which disrupted the originally expected rail-delivery routes. The first regular Škoda service began on 15 December 2023. Early operational problems in January 2024 caused train cancellations, board resignations and political pressure, but the entire fleet was eventually delivered by the end of September 2024, with penalties imposed on Škoda for delays. Vivi continues to operate a mixed fleet. The new Škoda electric trains provide the principal modern electric service, while older Rīgas Vagonbūves Rūpnīca electric trains and diesel multiple units have been retained as reserve or supplementary stock. Plans for new battery-electric trains have been studied and tendered, but the battery-train program faced delays, rising costs and infrastructure constraints. In 2024 the Latvian government considered redirecting European funding from the battery-electric rolling-stock project toward Rail Baltica infrastructure. Vivi therefore remains primarily a conventional electric and diesel railway operator, while its long-term development is shaped by Latvia's wider rail-electrification, decarbonization and Rail Baltica strategies.

AS Pasažieru vilciens was created in November 2001 when Latvia reorganized domestic passenger railway operations. Two passenger subsidiaries of Latvijas Dzelzceļš, PPU Elektrovilciens and PPU Dīzeļvilciens, were merged into the new company. The structural separation allowed passenger services to be managed independently from Latvijas Dzelzceļš's infrastructure, freight and other railway functions. Pasažieru vilciens initially remained a wholly owned subsidiary of Latvijas Dzelzceļš, but in October 2008 it became an independent state-owned enterprise under the ownership of the Latvian state, with the Ministry of Transport serving as shareholder. The company's network developed around Riga, Latvia's main rail hub. Electric services operated on the principal suburban corridors, while diesel multiple units served longer regional routes that were not electrified. The electric lines connected Riga with Skulte, Tukums, Jelgava and Aizkraukle. Diesel operations reached western, eastern and northern Latvia, including Liepāja, Daugavpils, Krāslava, Indra, Rēzekne, Zilupe, Madona, Gulbene, Sigulda, Valmiera and Valga in Estonia. Passenger services to Ērgļi, Reņģe and Ventspils were discontinued in 2007 or 2010. By 2017 the company had 1,075 employees, and it carried 18.6 million passengers in 2019. For much of its history, the fleet consisted of trains manufactured or refurbished in the former Soviet and Latvian railway-industrial system. Rīgas Vagonbūves Rūpnīca supplied electric trains and diesel multiple units, while some older rolling stock was modernized during the 2000s and 2010s. In 2016, 19 extensively refurbished DR1A diesel multiple-unit carriages were delivered through cooperation among DMU vilcieni, RVR, Daugavpils Lokomotīvju Remonta Rūpnīca and the Zasulauks depot. Reports soon identified quality problems with parts of the refurbishment, reinforcing the need for a newer fleet. The replacement of the electric fleet proved difficult. An initial procurement announced around 2010–2011 led to a 2012 order proposal involving CAF trains, but the process was halted amid challenges and irregularity concerns. A later hire-purchase arrangement for Stadler FLIRT trains was cancelled in 2014 after another appeal. A second procurement progressed with Talgo, CAF, Stadler Polska and Škoda Vagonka as participants. Talgo was provisionally selected in 2018 for a contract reported at €225.3 million, but appeals led to reassessment. In February 2019 Škoda's €241.88 million offer was selected after revised calculations, and Škoda was confirmed again in May. The final complaint was rejected in July 2019, allowing Pasažieru vilciens to sign a contract with Škoda Vagonka on 30 July. The contract covered 32 four-car electric multiple units, with each train designed to carry 436 seated and 450 standing passengers and to reach a maximum speed of 160 km/h. The trains were intended for Riga's main electric corridors and future rail modernization. A new yellow, anthracite-grey and dark-grey design was presented in 2020. Delivery was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which made the initially planned rail transit route through Ukraine and Belarus impractical. The first train reached Latvia in sections by road through Poland and Lithuania in June 2022. After certification and production delays, the first regular Škoda service ran on 15 December 2023 between Riga and Dubulti. Services to Aizkraukle, Tukums and Skulte followed, with the Jelgava route added on 16 December. The early months were troubled by technical incidents. In January 2024, several trains experienced failures, including a pantograph problem and loss of cabin heating. Vivi and the Transport Ministry demanded explanations, while the company prepared for passenger compensation in cases of cancellation. The company's board resigned on 25 January, and a temporary governing arrangement followed. Suggestions that the new trains might be returned and that old stock might be overhauled were not ultimately adopted; Škoda instead received penalties, and Vivi retained a reserve fleet of older trains. By the winter of 2024–25, the operator reported strengthened staff training and round-the-clock technical support with Škoda, with no major breakdown pattern reported during that season. The final Škoda units were delivered by the end of September 2024, completing the 32-train order. The new trains also prompted service-design discussions, including criticism that they initially lacked bicycle racks. The first rack was installed in January 2025, with further installations planned. Vivi and the Latvian government have also examined replacement options for diesel services. A 2020 proposal sought eight new diesel trains, but uncertainty over financing and a subsequent policy preference for battery-electric multiple units changed the direction of planning. A battery-train tender for nine units, with an option for seven more, was launched in 2022 for potential services including Bolderāja–Riga–Sigulda. CAF, Škoda and Stadler advanced in the process, but documentation and procurement delays followed. Škoda was later identified as the winner of a subsequent stage after Stadler's documentation was found deficient and CAF did not submit a bid. The program nevertheless faced rising costs, winter-performance concerns and the need for infrastructure adaptation. In 2024 Latvia considered moving European funds from the battery-electric rail project to Rail Baltica, leaving the future of the proposed battery fleet uncertain. Vivi also bought a used diesel locomotive from Estonia in May 2024.

• 2024

  Complete Škoda fleet delivered

  [1]Vivi (rail transit)en.wikipedia.org

  All 32 ordered electric trains had been delivered by the end of September.

• 2023

  Vivi brand launched

  [1]Vivi (rail transit)en.wikipedia.org

  Pasažieru vilciens introduced the Vivi name and new visual identity on 29 November.

• 2023

  New electric trains enter regular service

  [1]Vivi (rail transit)en.wikipedia.org

  The first regular Škoda 16Ev journey ran from Riga to Dubulti on 15 December.

• 2022

  First Škoda train reaches Latvia

  [1]Vivi (rail transit)en.wikipedia.org

  The first new train was delivered in sections by road because of disruptions affecting the originally planned delivery route.

• 2019

  Škoda electric-train contract signed

  [1]Vivi (rail transit)en.wikipedia.org

  The company signed a contract for 32 new four-car electric multiple units.

• 2016

  Refurbished DR1A diesel carriages received

  [1]Vivi (rail transit)en.wikipedia.org

  Nineteen modernized DR1A diesel multiple-unit carriages entered the fleet, although subsequent reports identified quality problems.

• 2008

  Becomes an independent state-owned company

  [1]Vivi (rail transit)en.wikipedia.org

  Pasažieru vilciens separated from Latvijas Dzelzceļš and became directly state-owned.

• 2001

  Pasažieru vilciens established

  [1]Vivi (rail transit)en.wikipedia.org

  PPU Elektrovilciens and PPU Dīzeļvilciens were merged to create a dedicated Latvian passenger railway company.

A nationally focused, state-owned public transport brand positioned around accessible, dependable and increasingly modern rail travel across Latvia.

• Passenger rail · 2001

  Electric passenger services

  Vivi operates electric commuter and regional services from Riga toward Skulte, Tukums, Jelgava and Aizkraukle. These corridors form the core of Latvia's most heavily used passenger railway system and increasingly use the Škoda 16Ev electric multiple units introduced from December 2023.

• Passenger rail · 2001

  Diesel passenger services

  Diesel services extend the network beyond electrified lines and connect Riga with regional destinations such as Liepāja, Daugavpils, Rēzekne, Zilupe, Madona, Gulbene, Sigulda, Valmiera and Valga. Older diesel units remain important for routes where electrification is not yet available.

• Rolling stock · 2023

  Škoda 16Ev electric multiple units

  The 16Ev fleet consists of 32 four-car electric trains ordered from Škoda Vagonka. Each unit was designed for 436 seated and 450 standing passengers and a maximum speed of 160 km/h. The trains use Vivi's signal-yellow, anthracite-grey and dark-grey visual scheme and form the centerpiece of the operator's fleet modernization.

• Planned rolling stock · 2022

  Battery-electric train program

  Latvia explored battery-electric multiple units for routes including Bolderāja–Riga–Sigulda and potentially Riga–Dobele. A procurement process advanced to a Škoda selection, but funding pressures, infrastructure requirements and delays left the program uncertain and subject to proposed redirection of European funds.

• 2023Vivi rebrand

  Latvia

  Pasažieru vilciens introduced the Vivi brand on 29 November 2023. The name derives from the Latvian phrase vienā vilcienā and was presented with a yellow, anthracite-grey and dark-grey identity linked to the arrival of new electric trains.

  Outcome. The public-facing brand changed to Vivi while the legal name AS Pasažieru vilciens was retained. Full implementation was planned by the end of 2024.

  Source

• 2024

  Address disruption in the new electric fleetStrategy

  Background

  Several Škoda trains experienced technical problems shortly after regular service began, including pantograph and heating failures.

  Action taken

  Vivi sought technical explanations, prepared passenger compensation procedures, retained 13 older trains as an emergency reserve and established enhanced training and continuous technical support with Škoda.

  Aftermath

  The proposed return of the new trains was not adopted. Škoda received penalties, and Vivi reported no major breakdown pattern during the following winter season.

  Source

• 2024

  Reassess battery-electric train investmentStrategy

  Background

  The battery-electric train project faced delayed procurement, rising costs, concerns about winter battery performance and the need for infrastructure adaptation.

  Action taken

  Latvia proposed redirecting European funding associated with emission-free rail development toward Rail Baltica infrastructure, subject to the required approvals.

  Aftermath

  The future scale and timing of Vivi's battery-electric fleet remained uncertain.

  Source

• 2019

  Select Škoda for 32 electric trainsProduct launch

  Background

  Earlier CAF and Stadler procurement processes had been cancelled or challenged. A later competition involving Talgo, CAF, Stadler Polska and Škoda Vagonka required reassessment after appeals.

  Action taken

  After revised evaluation of purchase and maintenance costs, Pasažieru vilciens confirmed Škoda Vagonka as the preferred supplier and signed the contract on 30 July 2019.

  Aftermath

  The trains entered service from December 2023, but delivery and early operational problems led to delays, political criticism and penalties for Škoda.

  • Talgo — Talgo challenged the revised procurement outcome after its earlier provisional selection was overturned.
  • CAF — CAF was among the parties that appealed or challenged stages of the procurement process.
  • Stadler — Stadler expressed disappointment after losing the final selection process.

  Source

• 2020-01-24

  Vivi closes funding round with Riverside Acceleration Capital[2]Vivi完成与Riverside Acceleration Capital的融资ibtimes.com.au

  Reported: 2020-01-23

  Vivi announced that it had closed a funding round with Riverside Acceleration Capital and a syndicate of Australian investors. The funding is intended to help accelerate Vivi's expansion into the US market.

1. 1Vivi (rail transit)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Vivi完成与Riverside Acceleration Capital的融资ibtimes.com.au