Estonia's Elron applies for safety certificate from EU Railway Agency to operate in Latvia

TALLINN - Estonian passenger train operator Elron is applying for a safety certificate from the European Union (EU) Railway Agency (ERA) to launch an international passenger train service, which will grant Elron the right to conduct railway operations in Latvia.

"Operating passenger trains in Latvia and launching an international passenger train line between Tartu and Riga requires a single safety certificate issued by the European Union Railway Agency. The safety certificate confirms that the company's safety processes comply with both EU and national requirements. Currently, Elron has a single safety certificate issued by the European Union Railway Agency for railway operations in Estonia," Elron's safety manager Natali Aosaar said in a press release.

Aosaar said that the EU Railway Agency involves the national supervisory authorities of Estonia and Latvia to ensure compliance with national railway safety requirements.

"Although we aim to expand our operations to Latvia, our domestic operations in Estonia will also be reviewed," she added.

After the application is submitted, it will undergo an assessment to determine whether to proceed with the process and if additional information is required. The unified safety certificate is a time-limited permit, valid for five years.

In 2024, Elron plans to launch a passenger train connection on the Tartu-Valga-Riga route in cooperation with the Climate Ministry, Regional and Agricultural Ministry, City of Tartu, and Latvian partners.