Baltic States Unite to Launch Modern Trains for Rail Baltica by 2030
Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are teaming up to buy new regional trains for the Rail Baltica route. The countries plan to purchase up to 20 modern trains, each offering more seats, better facilities, and improved services. The first of these trains should arrive in Estonia by late 2029, with full operations starting by the end of 2030. The joint procurement will see Lithuania order up to eight trains, while Estonia expects between five and seven. Latvia, meanwhile, will decide its final number based on future demand but may buy up to five. Each train will feature around 200 seats, dedicated catering areas, and more toilets than current models.
The tender process has faced a slight delay, with the submission deadline now pushed to mid-June. Latvia’s train orders must also align with ongoing infrastructure work, ensuring tracks and stations are ready in time. Estonia’s new regional line will stretch from Tallinn to Häädemeeste, making stops at over a dozen stations along the way. In the long term, there is even talk of extending the service beyond the border to Riga, Latvia’s capital. These trains will primarily serve domestic routes, connecting smaller towns and cities within each country. The improved services aim to make regional travel faster, more comfortable, and more reliable.
The first new trains will reach Estonia in the second half of 2029, with passenger services launching by late 2030. The upgraded fleet will boost local transport links and could eventually expand cross-border connections. The project marks a significant step in modernising rail travel across the Baltic states.
