Transport protest leaves some Latvian students without a way to school

A day without regional public transport affected some students in Latvia, LSM reported. Municipalities and parents arranged transport to schools, but some students were unable to attend classes.

The Rubeņi bus stop in Jēkabpils municipality was empty during the passenger carriers’ protest. Several students usually wait there for a bus to Zasa Secondary School, 21 kilometres away. Municipal school buses do not run from Rubeņi to Zasa, leaving public transport as the only option for some students.

“Usually I take the public bus, but this time my parents brought me because no buses were running,” said Oliver, an eighth-grade student at Zasa Secondary School. He said he had to get up earlier than usual to make it to school on time.

Because not all families were able to arrange transport themselves, the school asked the Rubeņi parish administration to provide a vehicle. Inga Iesalniece, a social pedagogue at Zasa Secondary School, said the alternative transport had been arranged but would arrive late because the driver was also serving other routes.

No students at Zasa Secondary School were registered as late because of the public transport protest. However, 22 students across Jēkabpils municipality did not attend school, and the education administration proposed excusing their absences.

Jēkabpils municipality Education Administration head Aija Voitišķe said school management teams and the municipality had worked together to find cars and buses. She also thanked parents who drove students to school.

During the protest, SIA Hansabuss Latvija did not operate 627 services, including 265 services on the Jēkabpils to Preiļi route.