“Apeirons” Raises Alarm: Planned Reduction in Transport Benefits Will Significantly Affect People with Disabilities

The informative report prepared by the Ministry of Transport (MT) on public transport financing for 2027–2030 has raised significant concerns within the foundation of people with disabilities and their friends, “Apeirons.” The ministry proposes to reduce travel fare benefits from 100% to 70%, introducing a 30% co-payment for people with Group I and II disabilities, children with disabilities, and their companions.

Representatives of non-governmental organizations emphasize that such a decision could have severe social consequences, especially for families with children with disabilities. Regular trips to doctors, rehabilitation sessions, and educational institutions are not a choice but a daily necessity. If both the child and the companion have to pay the co-payment, it will place a significant additional burden on the already strained family budget.

The head of the association of people with disabilities and their friends “Apeirons,” Ivars Balodis, in an interview with Skonto Media Group (SMG), points out that such a proposed step was an unpleasant surprise:

“To be honest, this is news, and we are very sorry that such quite significant changes are not being discussed with non-governmental organizations of people with disabilities, without planning and foreseeing the time for such discussions to take place. To be honest, it paints a grim picture because many people use this mobility as a good opportunity to travel to study, receive medical services, or go to work somewhere. I think that the factors that truly affect the quality of life of people who use these benefits have not been sufficiently evaluated.”

I. Balodis also emphasizes that, based on Eurostat data, people with disabilities in Latvia are one of the poorest and most at-risk groups for poverty in society. Therefore, reducing support for mobility contradicts both international commitments and national plans to mitigate the effects of disability.

The organization also points out that the MT report does not provide data-based justification for the introduction of a 30% co-payment, nor does it evaluate the possibilities of differentiating the approach — for example, maintaining a 100% discount for families with children with disabilities. The association “Apeirons” calls on the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Welfare to conduct a comprehensive social impact assessment and engage in discussions with sector NGOs.

Currently, public participation is open for the report developed by the Ministry of Transport on the Legal Acts Portal (LAP). “Apeirons” invites all interested organizations and citizens to familiarize themselves with the project and submit their objections and proposals, as well as promises to express a strong position at the government and responsible ministry levels.

Photo: "Apeirons"