Trains from Riga to Valga to Tartu to Tallinn are misaligned to make the travel very difficult with a long layover (see below). Travelers going from Riga to Tartu are forced to take a bus or drive. Buses have higher carbon intensity than trains and passenger vehicles have higher fatalities than trains. Trains are also cheaper for passengers than taking a bus (~9 EUR vs. 21 EUR).

Train travel in existing national trains would total around 4 hours, which is the same as existing private Lux buses. The layover causes the travel time to be excessive because a passenger would be required to wait in Valga for several hours. With minimal corrective action, the layover can be reduced to 2 hours. With further planning, the layover could be considerably reduced further.

Minimal Corrective Changes

• Existing Riga to Valmiera train from 6:46 to 9:06 to continue to Valga estimated arrival at 9:46. Existing connection for Valga to Tartu 11:53 to 13:05 cont. to Tallinn
• Existing Sigulda to Riga train from 19:38 to 20:45 to depart from Valga estimated departure at 17:49. Existing connection from Tartu to Valga 15:04 to 16:16 origin Tallinn

If pricing doesn't change, the total cost to passengers would be 8.64 EUR (3.96 + 4.68) and travel time of 4 hrs in train and ~2 hrs of layover.

Current North Bound Schedule

Riga to Valga​

Valga to Tartu cont. to Tallinn

Current South Bound Schedule

Tartu to Valga origin Tallinn​

Valga to Riga