On 2 December 2025, Riga Planning Region (RPR) held the first event in a series of meetings with residents to introduce new mobility tools in the Riga Region. This time, RPR met with residents of Saulkalne in Salaspils Municipality to present a carpooling platform that had become available to local residents in December.

As explained by Rūdolfs Cimdiņš, Head of the Spatial Planning Department at Riga Planning Region, the carpooling service uses the Swedish-developed digital application Freelway App, adapted to each pilot territory. Residents can register in the application, offer rides starting from the pilot areas, or join rides offered by other users to destinations anywhere in Latvia.

The platform offers an alternative to traditional hitchhiking, providing a safer and more convenient way to share journeys. The idea behind carpooling is based on cooperation within the local community, following the principle of “neighbour helping neighbour”, and enables residents to reach services and other destinations by travelling together in one vehicle. Similar platforms are already widely used in many parts of Europe. During the meeting, RPR representatives explained how the platform works. Users first need to download the application to their phones and register. They can then plan their journeys by submitting ride requests or offering rides to others. The platform works in a similar way to familiar food delivery and taxi booking applications, making it straightforward to use.

Residents who do not have a smartphone or experience technical difficulties are encouraged to contact Riga Planning Region at mobilitate@rpr.gov.lv for assistance with planning their journeys.

Riga Planning Region has launched pilot projects to test Transport on Demand (TOD) and carpooling as sustainable mobility solutions in the region. Carpooling is being tested in Saulkalne, while preparations were also under way to introduce both mobility solutions in four other pilot areas: Ķemeri in Jūrmala, Lapsas in Mārupe Municipality, Dzērumi in Ķekava Municipality and Lēdurga in Sigulda Municipality.

Riga Planning Region is implementing these pilot activities as part of the Interreg Central Baltic Programme project SuRuMo. The project aims to improve sustainable mobility options in populated areas that are difficult to access without a private car and where alternative mobility solutions are needed.

Source: Riga Planning Region – Carpooling Platform Launches in Saulkalne