Today, on September 21, the Baltic train of the “Connecting Europe Express” will depart from Tallinn to Vilnius within the framework of the program of events of the European Railway Year (2021). It will include public discussions and other events to highlight issues related to changes in the railway sector, future opportunities in passenger and freight transport, including in connection with the implementation of the Rail Baltica global project.
Events taking place on the train will be possible to follow online: https://youtu.be/bOrJrArjZ7c
9:10
Discussion: The positive role of railways in achieving climate, business, and regional development goals
Discussions will be opened by the three Baltic Transport Ministers Tālis Linkaits, Taavi Aas, Marius Skuodis, and Henrik Hololei and Catherine Trautmann, representatives of the European Commission exchanging their views on the key issues in the railway sector, includinggreen and decarbonised economy.
13:30
Discussion: Railway stations as a catalyst for urban development
Moderator:
Ģirts Bramans, Head of Strategic Stakeholders and Communications at the Rail Baltica Joint Venture RB Rail AS
Participants:
Henrik Hololei, Director – General, European Commission DG MOVE
Pilvi Torsti, State Secretary, Ministry of Transport and Communications / Finland
Remigijus Šimašius, Mayor of Vilnius city / Lithuania
Inese Andersone, Chairwoman of the Riga city Development committee / Latvia
Tõnu Grünberg, CEO of Rail Baltic Estonia OÜ / Estonia
Kaspars Vingris, CEO of SIA “Eiropas dzelzceļa līnijas” / Latvia
Linas Baužys, CEO, UAB “LTG Link” / Lithuania
The objective of the panel is to discuss the best-practice and identify the success factors allowing to use the full potential of the station development from mobility, wider accessibility, and economic development perspective. The panellists provide an opportunity to discuss the subject from policy making at EU and national level, municipality, business, and urban development perspective.
15:30
Preparation of a time capsule for laying in the foundations of Riga Central Station and visit of the 1st platform of the historic Central Station
Within the framework of the Baltic train, the ministers of the Baltic States, together with the representatives of the Rail Baltica project, prepared a time capsule with a message for future generations, which is planned to be embedded in the foundations of the station building.
The event can be followed online here: https://www.facebook.com/events/578566833569846.
In the afternoon, the Baltic train will continue its journey to Vilnius, concluding the day with the last discussion.
16:45
Discussion: Freight transport opportunities in the Baltic States – Rail Baltica and the North Sea Corridor
The discussion will be attended by Catherine Trautmann, Mantas Bartuška, General Director of Lithuanian Railways, Agnis Driksna, Executive Director and Chairman of the Board of Rail Baltica Joint Undertaking RB Rail AS, Mārtiņš Pevko, Member of the Board of LDz Cargo, and moderated by Romas Šveda. Romas Švedas), Member of the Board of the Lithuanian Railways, independent expert and lecturer. The aim of the discussion is to share views, future forecasts and goals on the potential and prospects of freight transport in the Baltic States and the impact of the Rail Baltica project.
At the end of the day, the train will stop in Vilnius, while already on Wednesday, September 22, the Baltic train will continue its journey to Kaunas and meet the European Commission’s “Connecting Europe Express”, which will arrive from Poland along the European gauge railway tracks. Both trains with different track gauges will arrive in Kaunas at the same time, thus confirming the unifying force of the different railway corridors.
Pictures from the event:
The beginning of the trip in Tallinn
