On Thursday, 13 November 2025, a new mode of transport was officially launched in Kurzeme with the first passenger journey in Alsunga – an on-demand transport service that enables residents to travel easily, flexibly and free of charge between nearby settlements based on individual requests. The service is being implemented as a pilot activity of the Kurzeme Planning Region within the Interreg Central Baltic Programme 2021–2027 project “SuRuMo” (Sustainable Rural Mobility) and is available in the pilot areas of Alsunga and Vāne. This is the first solution of its kind in the Kurzeme region.
“It is important for the Kurzeme Planning Region to explore and test new solutions that can improve mobility options for residents, especially in sparsely populated areas. The ability to reach a destination easily and on time is a key precondition for regional development, as it directly affects people’s opportunities to be active – to get to work or school, access services, and participate in community life. On-demand transport is a new service model that will be tested in Alsunga and Vāne until approximately next summer in order to assess its usefulness and its impact on residents’ daily mobility. This experience will be valuable in planning similar solutions elsewhere in the future, both at regional and national level. I encourage residents to make active use of this opportunity and to share their experiences – as your feedback will play a decisive role in shaping how such solutions could evolve,” emphasised Evita Ozoliņa, Head of Administration at the Kurzeme Planning Region.
The opening event at the Alsunga Culture House was attended by representatives of the Kurzeme Planning Region, the leadership of Kuldīga Municipality, residents of Alsunga and Vāne, as well as the media.
“It is a genuine pleasure that Alsunga has been chosen as one of the pilot locations for the introduction of this new service. It will be a valuable experience not only for Alsunga but for Kuldīga Municipality as a whole, as it will help us understand how on-demand transport can improve residents’ daily mobility and access to services. Alsunga has an active and close-knit community that participates in various initiatives and is ready to try new opportunities. This solution will provide practical insights that may guide future public transport development across the municipality,” noted Inese Astaševska, Chair of Kuldīga Municipal Council.
The first passengers to try the new on-demand transport service were Juris Lipsnis – Alsunga’s best-known guide, an authentic Suiti cultural bearer and bagpiper – and Dace Miķelsone, a Suiti weaver and member of the Dižsuiti dance group. They travelled to the opening event at the Alsunga Culture House using the new mobility solution from Kuldīga to Alsunga and shared their first impressions of the journey. The event was hosted by Adelīna Anna Ziemele, a well-known personality from Kurzemes Radio, who warmly welcomed the first passengers and guests, creating a particularly warm and festive atmosphere.
On-demand transport is a new mode of mobility that combines the advantages of public transport and taxi services. The aim of the new service is to test and develop mobility solutions tailored to the needs of rural areas, ensuring convenient, accessible and user-friendly travel for everyday purposes.
From Alsunga village, passengers will be able to travel to Kuldīga and Jūrkalne, while from Vāne village they will be able to reach Kandava and Sabile, with travel available in both directions. The destinations were selected by the project working group in cooperation with local residents, analysing their needs and mobility patterns.
Journeys are organised based on demand and can be booked by 14:00 on the previous working day, either by calling +371 262 333 22 or through the “Freelway” mobile application. The service is available daily from 04:00 to 23:00, excluding national holidays, and can be used by both residents and visitors staying within the pilot areas.
In parallel, the project is also introducing and testing the “Freelway” application, which facilitates booking on-demand transport services and connects nearby passengers with drivers, making it easier to organise shared travel.
About the project
The project “SuRuMo” (Sustainable Rural Mobility) is implemented to conduct research in pilot areas, collect and analyse data, and develop a unified digital platform, thereby finding solutions to ensure sustainable mobility in rural areas.
The project activities are carried out with the support of the Central Baltic Programme 2021–2027.
Information prepared by:
Anna Margreta Vērdiņa
Project Manager of “SuRuMo”
Kurzeme Planning Region
Tel. +371 27000178
E-mail: anna.verdina@kurzemesregions.lv
