Train manufacturer Škoda Vagonka has committed to delivering all 32 electric train sets to AS Pasažieru vilciens by the end of next year, the company's head, Martin Bednarz, told reporters on Wednesday.

Starting from May, we will deliver the train sets so that passengers can begin using them as early as this summer, said M. Bednarz.

Didier Pfleger, head of Škoda Vagonka's parent company Škoda Transportation, pointed out that the Covid-19 pandemic has generally affected the company's operations, for example, regarding staff illness and supply chains. However, these factors are not significant enough to delay the previously scheduled delivery deadlines.

Pfleger revealed that the first train could be handed over for testing in Latvia in March or April.

We will do everything we can to meet the calendar deadlines. Škoda will involve new resources and new capacities – whatever is necessary in the event of pandemic impacts or other reasons, the company head stated.

At the same time, he also noted that inflation will not affect the price of the ordered trains – they will be delivered for the amount previously signed in the contract, and any additional costs will be the problem of the Škoda side.