LTG Link | |
Company type | Subsidiary |
Industry | Rail transport |
Predecessor | Lietuvos geležinkeliai |
Founded | 2019 |
Headquarters | Vilnius, Lithuania |
Area served | Lithuania, Poland, Latvia |
Services | Passenger train services |
Owner | Ministry of Transport and Communications (100%) |
Parent | LTG Group |
Website | www.ltglink.lt |
LTG Link, officially UAB LTG Link is the passenger transport division of the Lithuanian state-owned railway company, LTG Group (Lithuanian Railways). LTG Link operates domestic and international passenger services across Lithuania and on routes to Poland, Latvia, and beyond. The term "Link" in the name carries a dual meaning: in English, it means "Connection", while in Lithuanian, it means "Towards". [1]
LTG Link was established in 2019 to be a separate division within Lietuvos Geležinkeliai to manage passenger transport independently, aligning with European Union regulations requiring separation of passenger and freight operations. This reorganisation, which took place in 2020, created three LTG subsidiaries: LTG Link for passenger services, LTG Cargo for freight, and LTG Infra for infrastructure management. The restructuring aimed to streamline operations, with LTG Link receiving subsidies from the Lithuanian government to support public transport objectives. [2]
In 2020, LTG rebranded, introducing a new logo featuring an arrow symbolising movement and connectivity. The changes were introduced under LTG CEO Mantas Bartuška, who stated that LTG Link’s mission is to modernise and expand Lithuania’s passenger rail services to meet growing national and international demand. [2]
LTG Link provides regular regional and long-distance passenger services within Lithuania and operates on selected international routes. Key international services include connections to Latvia, including the route to Riga, and planned future services to Poland. LTG Link’s expansion also includes plans for cross-border services between Vilnius and Warsaw with modern amenities such as air-conditioning, Wi-Fi, and power outlets, aiming for a journey time of approximately eight hours. [2]
In 2022, LTG Link integrated its scheduling and ticketing system with Google Maps, allowing easier access to train schedules and tickets. LTG Link’s objective is to expand its route network and improve passenger experience through digital and infrastructure improvements. [3]
International lines:
Vilnius—Riga—Tallinn passenger train route is technically possible, but currently not practical due to limited speeds and long travel times. [7] These routes will start following the completion of the Rail Baltica project. [7]
LTG Link’s fleet includes a variety of locomotives, diesel multiple units (DMUs), electric multiple units (EMUs), and passenger carriages. The company operates both modern and legacy rolling stock, with upgrades in progress.
Type | Model | Quantity | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Locomotive | TEP70 | Various | Used primarily for long-distance services. |
Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) | Pesa 730M | 28 | Used for regional services. |
Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) | Škoda EJ 575 | 14 | Primarily used on electrified routes. |
Electric Multiple Unit (EMU) | ER9 | 13 | Serves electrified routes. |
Railcar | Pesa 620M | 13 | Used on non-electrified lines. |
Railcar | Pesa 630M | Various | Serves non-electrified routes. |
Passenger Carriage | Various | 23 | Used for long-distance services. |
In 2023 LTG Link also ordered 15 Stadler FLIRT trains as part of its fleet expansion, which are intended to be used on regional and international routes once delivered. [8]
LTG Group is pursuing the electrification of LTG Link's main passenger routes, particularly the Vilnius–Klaipeda corridor, which handles a significant portion of Lithuania’s passenger rail traffic. In 2019, LTG Infra awarded a €363.1 million contract to electrify 354 km of its network, increasing the electrified network share from 7% to 40% by 2023. [9] This project includes both the 34 km Vilnius bypass and the 320 km Klaipeda–Kaišiadorys main line, and supports Lithuania’s climate strategy by reducing the reliance on diesel-powered trains. [2]
Following the electrification, LTG Link intends to introduce new electric passenger trains on the core network, moving existing diesel trains to regional routes. The company has engaged in discussions with train manufacturers as part of its fleet upgrade, including considerations for battery-electric trains for non-electrified routes.
LTG Link’s strategic goals focus on expanding route coverage, improving service frequency, and enhancing passenger convenience. As part of a long-term plan, LTG Link aims to: [2]
Transport in Lithuania relies mainly on road and rail networks.
Vilnius International Airport is the airport of Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. It is located 5.9 km (3.7 mi) south of the city center. It is the largest of the three commercial airports in Lithuania by passenger traffic, with one runway and 5 million passengers a year. Vilnius International Airport serves as a base for airBaltic, Ryanair, and Wizz Air. The airport is managed by Joint Stock Company Lithuanian Airports under the Ministry of Transport and Communications. It is the 96th busiest airport in Europe.
LTG Group, officially Lietuvos geležinkeliai, known as LTG is the national state-owned railway company of Lithuania. It operates most of the railway network in the country. It has several subsidiary companies, but the main ones are: LTG Link which provides passenger services, LTG Cargo which provides freight service, and LTG Infra which is responsible for the maintenance and development of the infrastructure.
AS Eesti Liinirongid, operating as Elron, is a government-owned passenger train operator in Estonia.
Kaunas Airport is the second-busiest civil airport in Lithuania after Vilnius Airport and the fourth-busiest in the Baltic states. The airport is located in the central part of the country, 14 km (8.7 mi) northeast of the Kaunas city centre and 100 km west from the capital Vilnius.
The rail transport system in Estonia consists of about 1,200 kilometres (750 mi) of railway lines, of which 900 kilometres (560 mi) are currently in public use. The infrastructure of the railway network is mostly owned by the state and is regulated and surveyed by the Estonian Technical Surveillance Authority.
Rail transport in Lithuania consists of freight shipments and passenger services. The construction of the first railway line in Lithuania began in 1859. As of 2021, the total length of railways in Lithuania was 1,868.8 km (1,161.2 mi). Lietuvos Geležinkeliai, the national state-owned railway company, operates most of the passenger and freight services.
AS Pasažieru vilciens, operating as Vivi, is the sole passenger railway operator in Latvia, operating both electric and diesel trains on various lines throughout the country. Officially AS "Pasažieru vilciens" the company was founded in November 2001. It is fully owned by the Latvian state, with the Ministry of Transport acting as shareholder.
Rail transport in Latvia is done on 1,520 mm Russian gauge. The main railway company is the state-owned Latvijas dzelzceļš (LDz), with its subsidiary Pasažieru vilciens (PV) providing passenger services.
The Polish railways network consists of around 18,510 kilometres (11,500 mi) of track as of 2019, of which 11,998 km (7,455 mi) is electrified. The national electrification system runs at 3 kV DC.
Latvijas dzelzceļš is the state-owned company responsible for managing public railway infrastructure in Latvia. It is fully owned by the Latvian government, with 100% of its shares held by the state. The company’s sole shareholder is the Latvian Ministry of Transport. Latvijas dzelzceļš was founded on 2 September 1991 and is considered the successor of the Latvian State Railways company which was established on 5 August 1919 and dissolved by the Soviet occupation of Latvia in 1940.
Rail Baltica is an under-construction rail infrastructure project that is intended to integrate the Baltic states in the European rail network. Its purpose is to provide passenger and freight service between participating countries and improve rail connections between Central and Northern Europe, specifically the area southeast of the Baltic Sea. It is also intended as a catalyst for building the economic corridor in Northeastern Europe. The project envisages a continuous rail link from Tallinn (Estonia) to Warsaw (Poland), consisting of links via Riga (Latvia), Kaunas, and Vilnius (Lithuania). Its total length in the Baltic States is 870 kilometres (540 mi), with 213 kilometres (132 mi) in Estonia, 265 kilometres (165 mi) in Latvia, and 392 kilometres (244 mi) in Lithuania. Rail Baltica is one of the priority projects of the European Union (EU). It is part of the North Sea–Baltic Corridor of the Trans-European Transport Networks (TEN-T).
Stadler FLIRT is a passenger multiple unit trainset made by Stadler Rail of Switzerland. The baseline design of FLIRT is an electric multiple unit articulated trainset that can come in units of two to twelve cars with two to six motorized axles. The maximum speed is 200 km/h (125 mph). Standard floor height is 57 cm, but 78 cm high floors are also available for platform heights of 76 cm.
A battery electric multiple unit (BEMU), battery electric railcar or accumulator railcar is an electrically driven multiple unit or railcar whose energy can be supplied from rechargeable batteries driving the traction motors.
Riga Central Station is the main railway station in Riga, Latvia. It is known as the main point of Riga due to its central location, and most forms of public transport stop in this area. Part of the building is a shopping centre.
Saint Petersburg–Warsaw Railway is a 1,333 km (828 mi) long railway, built in the 19th century by the Russian Empire to connect Russia with Central Europe. At the time the entire railway was within the Russian Empire: Warsaw was under a Russian partition of Poland. Due to territorial changes, the line now lies within five countries and crosses the eastern border of the European Union three times. Therefore, no passenger trains follow the entire route. Passenger trains between Saint Petersburg and Warsaw used to travel through Brest instead and a new line called Rail Baltica is under development to improve the direct connection between Poland and Lithuania.
Ministry of Transport and Communications is a government institution in the Republic of Lithuania which coordinates the work of road, rail, air, water, transport, postal and electronic communications sector and implements the strategy and politics of state government.
Vilnius Central Railway Station is an LTG Link train station in Vilnius, Lithuania. The railway station situates between two neighbourhoods of Vilnius — Naujininkai and Naujamiestis — and on the edge of the Old Town.
Turmantas railway station is a railway passenger and cargo station located in Turmantas town, Zarasai district, Lithuania, on the Lithuanian-Latvian border, at the end of railway line Vilnius - Turmantas. Closest railway stations are situated in Visaginas to the south and Daugavpils to the north.