RIGA, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- A new direct passenger train linking the capitals of Estonia and Latvia launched on Monday, marking a leap in cross-border connectivity and simplifying travel across the Baltic region.
Operated jointly by Estonia's state-owned carrier Elron and Latvia's Pasazieru Vilciens (PV), the service runs between Tallinn and Riga via Estonia's second-largest city, Tartu, without requiring passengers to change trains.
The direct connection cuts hassle and travel time for passengers. The journey from Tartu to Riga takes three hours and 41 minutes, while the full trip from Tallinn to Riga lasts about five hours and 56 minutes.
The train makes several stops in Latvia, including Valga, Valmiera, Cesis, Sigulda, and terminates at Riga Central Railway Station. Latvian drivers will operate the train on the Latvian section of the route from Valga to Riga.
