RIGA — After increasing ticket prices by 25 percent late last year to make up for the elimination of government subsidies, Riga’s public transportation will now be available for free for unemployed pensioners.

On Tuesday the Riga City Council approved the measure on Tuesday, and it is estimated to cost the already strapped Rīgas Satiksme 3.5 million lats (€5 million).

Despite budget concerns Riga Mayor Nils Ušakovs strongly supports the change

“Analyses of the situation clearly show that unemployed pensioners are one of the most vulnerable social groups,” Ušakovs told the LETA news wire.

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