Welcome to Latvia
EuroCurrency in Latvia
Today’s Weather
6
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08:09 AM
Wednesday
Basic Country Profile
Location: North-Eastern Europe with a coastline along the Baltic sea.
Capital: Riga
Population: 2.2 million
Major Language: Latvian, Russian
Major religion: Christianity
Currency: Euro
Terrain: Low and level
Climate: Temperate with four pronounced seasons
Dial code: +371
Time zone: GMT+3
Emergency numbers:
112 – Universal emergency number. The average time to answer a 112 call is 7 seconds
110 – Police
113 – Ambulance
67 18 18 18 – Riga police
1888 – Road assistance
Disability Legislations and Policies
In March 2010 Latvia ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its optional protocol and adopted a new disability law.
Article 7 (3) of the Labour law provides for the employer’s obligation of reasonable accommodation. The governments regulations on the standard applicable buildings prescribe the need to guarantee access for disabled persons, But the standards are applicable only to new and reconstructed public buildings. Many of the old ones are not accessible.
Constitution: Article 91 of the Constitution of Latvia provides that all human beings in Latvia shall be equal before the law and the courts.
Travel Related Information
Although Latvia has made efforts to improve accessibility for persons with disabilities, only new and completely renovated hotels, guest houses, hostels, and public buildings provide suitable facilities for seriously travelers with disabilities. Easy-access public transportation and taxis are rare.
Accessibility of foot paths and road crossings is improving but, in most places, still fails to meet the legal standards. The Old City has mostly cobblestone streets which can be difficult for those with disabilities. Snow and ice are common on sidewalks during winter months and can be hazardous. Free or reduced fares on public transportation are available to Latvian residents only.
www.countryreports.org
Riga public transport
Most of the trams, trolley-buses and buses in Riga have low floors or are equipped with special ramps for passengers with disabilities. The vehicles are designed so that a person in a wheelchair could ride them. In addition, there are seats designated for persons with disabilities.
Please note that public transport in Riga is only just moving towards making all vehicles accessible to all passengers. For instance, a portion of trams in Riga are not technically adapted for persons in wheelchairs. In the meantime, low-floor trams on lines No. 6 and 11 have been praised by residents and guests of the city alike, as they offer much more comfortable rides to all passengers.
Riga City Tour
In most cities, the Riga City tour buses are wheelchair accessible and equipped with a ramp. Boats are not wheelchair accessible but it is possible to bring a foldable wheelchair providing the person can board the boat assisted. www.redsightseeing.com/en
Riga minibuses with disabled wheelchair access
The first VW Crafter minibuses with disabled wheelchair access have been running on the most popular routes in Riga since February 2015. The minibuses have convenient ramps for persons in wheelchairs, and a specially-designated space for a person in a wheelchair. For the exact departure times, please telephone: +371 66907787
Taxis
The Red Cab (https://redcab.lv/redcab-taxi/?lang=en taxis) with disabled access are available in Riga every day. In turn, Baltic Taxi offers taxi services to passengers with disabilities who are able to transfer from a wheelchair to the cab seat and use collapsible wheelchairs.
Intercity bus traffic
The Riga International Coach Terminal offers free assistance to people with disabilities in the territory of the terminal. Applying to the service needs to be done at least 36 hours prior by calling: + 371 67226658 or writing to: palidziba@autoosta.lv.
Trains
Nine railway stations in Latvia have been equipped with mobile ramps to help people in wheelchairs access railway platforms, as well as get on or off a train. The service is provided by Riga, Krustpils, Rēzekne, Daugavpils, Jelgava, Saulkrasti, Sigulda, Dubulti and Vaivari stations. The service is free of charge. A trip has to be registered at least 48 hours prior to departure by calling the toll-free line: +371 80001181 or writing to: uzzinas@ldz.lv, indicating your contact information, the station from which the passenger will depart, whether he or she will or will not have an accompanying person, and whether the passenger is a wheelchair user.
The Sixt car rental company offers people with disabilities to rent cars with hand control for travel in Latvia and the other two Baltic countries. Cars are equipped with hand control for no extra charge. To book the service, call: +371 67207121 or write to: rent@sixt.lv.
The Apeironsorganisation for people with disabilities and their friends offers visitors to rent a fifth wheel, or a bicycle, which greatly increases mobility of persons with disabilities. Find out more about the opportunity by calling: +371 67299208 or writing to: info@apeirons.lv.
Medical assistance while travelling in Latvia can be sought from the emergency aid and care service of the Samaritan Association of Latvia by calling the 24-hour line: +371 67815299. The service offers medical assistance, guide services, and specialised transport. Find out more by writing to: samnid@rsa.lv.
Discounts
The majority of Latvian museums and art galleries offer discounts for people with disabilities and their assistants or accompanying persons.
www.latvia.travel