From 14 November 2025 to 17 April 2026, within the on-demand transport pilot implemented by the Kurzeme Planning Region in Alsunga and Vāne under the Interreg Central Baltic Programme 2021–2027 project “SuRuMo”, a total of 1,413 passengers were transported, 526 trips were carried out, and nearly 17,000 kilometres were covered.
In Alsunga, the service was used by 897 passengers (298 trips), while in Vāne it was used by 516 passengers (228 trips).
“More than 1,400 passengers served is not just a statistic – it is clear evidence that on-demand transport can be one of the solutions to ensure the mobility people need in rural areas. The results of the pilot show that this service is useful for everyday needs: enabling residents to reach medical appointments, go shopping, or connect with public transport more conveniently,” says Anna Margreta Vērdiņa, Project Manager of the SuRuMo project at the Kurzeme Planning Region.
During the pilot, it was also observed that residents’ habits and needs vary between locations. In Alsunga, the service was most actively used on Fridays and Sundays, with passengers travelling to Kuldīga and back or to Jūrkalne, allowing them to conveniently continue their journeys to Liepāja or Ventspils. In Vāne, demand was highest on Tuesdays and Fridays, when many residents planned trips to Kandava to visit shops and the local market before returning home.
Trips were organised on an on-demand basis – residents were required to book in advance, no later than 14:00 on the previous working day. Requests could be made by calling the dedicated Kurzeme Planning Region Mobility Centre or via the “Freelway” mobile application. The Mobility Centre collected requests and scheduled trips, combining as many passengers as possible within a single journey. The “Freelway” app also allowed users to view already scheduled trips and join them.
“On behalf of the Kurzeme Planning Region, I would like to sincerely thank residents for their trust and active participation in testing on-demand transport, as well as the transport providers in Alsunga and Vāne who ensured the service operated on a daily basis. The data collected during the pilot will be used to assess how such solutions could be developed in other areas and integrated into mobility planning,” adds Anna Margreta Vērdiņa.
Although the pilot activity has now concluded, the “Freelway” app will remain available. The on-demand transport booking function will no longer be active; however, users are encouraged to continue making use of carpooling options – finding travel companions and organising journeys among themselves.
On-Demand Transport in Kurzeme – Pilot Results and Usage Trends
The infographic presents data from the SuRuMo pilot project on the use of the mobility service in Alsunga and Vāne.
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
