Last week’s public news regarding the auction of the rolling stock of the “Gulbenes-Alūksnes” bānītis (narrow-gauge train) used for passenger transport caused confusion for many as to what is actually happening. “Dzirkstele” contacted Raitis Melders, head of the transport department at SIA “Gulbenes-Alūksnes bānītis”.
R. Melders explains that until the early 2000s, transport services on the line between Gulbene and Alūksne using the narrow-gauge tracks were operated by the state-owned company “Latvijas Dzelzceļš”.
“When it all became completely unprofitable, they looked for solutions to get rid of this business operation, and the early 2000s were the time when SIA “Gulbenes-Alūksnes bānītis” was founded, but in those days, it was not possible to transfer rolling stock to a private company. Since the Gulbene municipality also participated in the creation of the SIA, the only way to transfer this rolling stock was to the Gulbene district municipality – at that time, it was the district council. For all these years, all the rolling stock has been on the municipality's balance sheet, it is still there now, and we have been the lessees of the rolling stock. On one hand, the State Audit Office pointed out to the municipality several times that the municipality should not be engaged in business by leasing rolling stock to a company. The other issue is the rental fee. Given that the rolling stock has been restored over the years, large investments have been made, and its value has increased, the rental fee has also increased. Naturally, there was an interest in how to take over this rolling stock, which is intended for passenger transport, onto the company's balance sheet so that we would be the owners of this rolling stock, which is why this situation has arisen. The idea is for us to be able to officially take over this rolling stock ourselves, so that it is ours, so that we can continue to invest funds in this entire industrial heritage,” says R. Melders.
He explains that the rolling stock is part of a complex cultural monument, including all railway tracks, structures, buildings, and the rolling stock itself. “The carriages and locomotives are on the municipality's balance sheet, but the Gulbene depot is the property of the SIA. We bought it a few years ago from “Latvijas Dzelzceļš”,” says R. Melders.
The auction rules are very specific, and therefore R. Melders does not entertain the idea that the bānītis could fall into someone else's hands. “The rolling stock is one indivisible complex, which must not be taken away. There is also a requirement that a valid European safety certificate for railway transport and repairs must be in place. The auction rules state that the buyer is obliged to maintain regular passenger transport for at least five years in accordance with the state order. But that does not mean it will only be five years; we will continue to do it after that as well. Unfortunately, there is no other option to take over this rolling stock other than an auction,” says R. Melders.
He emphasises that the future operation of the company is not under threat, and ticket prices will not be affected either. “This is simply our internal matter so that we can look towards development with confidence, and it is an important aspect that the rolling stock belongs to us, because then it is easier to apply for projects as well,” says R. Melders.
The auction organised by the Gulbene municipality for diesel locomotives and narrow-gauge passenger carriages will take place on 21 April. The starting price is 78,600 euros excluding value-added tax. The auction increment is set at 100 euros.