RIGA, Aug 5 (LETA) - The Road Transport Administration has warned Liepajas Autobusu Parks (LAP) bus operator that its contract for the provision of bus services in the municipalities of Ogre and Aizkraule might be terminated early, LETA was told at the Road Transport Administration.

The board of the Road Transport Administration on Friday had an online meeting with the  bus operator's management to discuss the high number of cancelled bus departures. 

Between July 1, 2022 when LAP launched bus service in the municipalities of Ogre and Aizkraukle, and August 4, the company has cancelled 344 bus departures, and had cancelled another 19 departures on Friday. 

The Road Transport Administration regards the situation with cancellations as critical and warned LAP managers on Friday that the company risks an early termination of the bus services contract in the municipalities of Ogre and Aizkraukle.

Kristians Godins, board chairman of the Road Transport Administration, indicated that LAP, which won a tender to provide bus services in the municipalities of Ogre and Aizkraukle, had committed to ensuring a high-quality service on these regional bus routes. 

The Road Transport Administration gave LAP until Tuesday, August 9, to work out and submit a detailed plan on how the company will be informing passengers about changes in the bus schedule, as well as information on the number of bus drivers and reserves for the provision of passenger services this month and in the coming fall season. 

A 34.5 percent stake in Liepajas Autobusu Parks belongs to the local government of Liepaja, while 59.83 percent in the company is owned by LAP1R company, which is indirectly owned by the families of Andris Skele (67 percent) and Ainars Slesers (33 percent).