Valga-Tartu: Extra Buses Added After Riga Train Launch & Timetable Changes
- Additional bus services are now operating between Valga and Tartu following reductions in train connections stemming from the launch of a direct train service between Tartu and Riga.
- The changes to the train schedule were prompted by the new direct route to Riga, which began operation in January 2025, as reported by Elron.
- “Local government leaders and our people point out that since we have fewer residents here, the number of passengers is also going to be smaller.
Bus Service Launched to Mitigate Train Disruptions on Tartu-Valga Route
Additional bus services are now operating between Valga and Tartu following reductions in train connections stemming from the launch of a direct train service between Tartu and Riga. The temporary measure, agreed upon by the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture and Valga County local government leaders, aims to minimize inconvenience for commuters.
The changes to the train schedule were prompted by the new direct route to Riga, which began operation in January 2025, as reported by Elron. However, the adjustments led to a two-hour delay for one morning train from Valga to Tartu on Friday, causing significant disruption for passengers. According to Valga County officials, even prior to the Riga connection, passenger numbers on the Valga-Tartu route were relatively low, with fewer than 30 people boarding at Valga station in November and an average of 37 arriving in Tartu.
“Local government leaders and our people point out that since we have fewer residents here, the number of passengers is also going to be smaller. Every person is important and ought to be taken into account,” said Ivar Unt, head of the Valga County Public Transport Center.
The trial bus service, running from to , will depart Valga in the morning, arriving in Tartu at 8:45 a.m., stopping at locations previously served by the train. Minister of Regional Affairs and Agriculture Hendrik Johannes Terras (Eesti 200) explained the rationale behind the initiative.
“In order to ensure everyone who has been using this train line can continue to travel, we are launching a bus service… If the line is successful, we will continue with it until we can bring the trains back at the same times they ran at before they were taken away,” Terras said.
Looking ahead, improvements to the rail infrastructure are planned. While railway repairs this summer are expected to cause further disruptions to both the Valga and Riga connections from Tartu, officials anticipate a more frequent service in the future.
“We have to have a little patience because there will be railway repairs in the summer. However, from 2027, we will have seven connections instead of five, and there will also be a train returning that arrives in Tartu at 9 a.m.,” said Mart Kase, Mayor of Valga. “This is a big win for Valga, as it will allow our people to go to work in Tartu. It will also encourage more people to come and live here when they see that there are so many convenient connections.”
The direct train between Tartu and Riga has been operating for a month, with an average of under 30 passengers per trip. However, ticket sales in Latvia have only recently begun, and Elron Board Chair Lauri Betlem noted that initial passenger numbers were expected to be low, with potential for growth. “This is quite expected – we assumed that it would be slow at the start and then gradually grow. But we have had days when more than 30 passengers have boarded in Riga,” Betlem stated.
On Friday, a train arriving at Valga station from Riga experienced a five-minute delay before continuing towards Tallinn. The situation highlights the ongoing adjustments to regional rail services as new connections are introduced and infrastructure is upgraded.