For some time now, Elron Train operator in Estonia. has faced a dilemma over what to do with overcrowded train services. Some passengers will not have a place to sit throughout their journey, and the start of the school year is probably worsening the situation.
Elron Train operator in Estonia. is operating 37 trains altogether. Nineteen are used near the Tallinn Tallinn, the largest city and capital of Estonia (population 440 000). area only due to being electrically powered. The rest of the trains run on diesel fuel and serve the Tallinn Tallinn, the largest city and capital of Estonia (population 440 000). - Narva City in the NE of Estonia (pop.54,000). , Tallinn Tallinn, the largest city and capital of Estonia (population 440 000). - Tartu City in the west of Estonia (pop. 91,000). lines, and other locations further away from Tallinn Tallinn, the largest city and capital of Estonia (population 440 000). .
Lauri Betlem, the chairman of Elron Train operator in Estonia. 's board, notes that they would have more trains in operation if it were up to them. However, the state owns Elron Train operator in Estonia. , and the investments depend on the politician's decisions. Betlem adds that the situation has worsened drastically over the past six months. The number of passengers has risen by a third. And even though all the trains are in service during the rush hours, there still are not enough of them to fill the need.
The earliest ease of the situation glistens in 2024 when six Škoda electric trains arrive in Estonia. However, this will not solve the problem as the service demand increases. Even if the Government tenders ten additional trains right now, they could arrive by 2026 at the earliest. The situation inevitably shows that the concentration to better the problem the share of the bus traffic must increase in the next few years.
The company has discussed several possibilities to fix the problem, like ordering extra wagons or renting trains from Latvia as they will receive their new trains before Estonia. Estonian Railways Ltd State-owned railway administration company. plans to electrify all the railways and, by 2024, have electric trains running between Tallinn Tallinn, the largest city and capital of Estonia (population 440 000). and Tartu City in the west of Estonia (pop. 91,000). .
The PM, Kaja Kallas Estonian politician. , acknowledges the issue but adds that the Minister of Economy and Infrastructure, Riina Sikkut Riina Sikkut is an Estonian politician. , deals with this. If Sikkut finds it a priority, she can agree with Elron Train operator in Estonia. 's proposal of renting trains or buying extra wagons.