Transportation
Transportation is one of the most important elements of city life, which is why creating a green city is unimaginable without sustainable mobility solutions.
Transportation is an integral part of daily life, but the transport system has a significant impact on the environment, human health, and urban structure. Transport contributes to air pollution, noise, and climate change, and road transport is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Lithuania – accounting for almost a third of all GHG emissions. Passenger cars generate the largest share of this pollution (60%).
In addition to its impact on the climate, the dominance of cars in cities also affects the urban environment – large areas for roads, parking, and transit fragment the urban fabric and reduce the quality of public spaces. Transport noise and air pollution directly affect residents’ health and quality of life.
In response to these challenges, increasing attention is being paid to sustainable mobility. Sustainable mobility aims to reduce the environmental impact of transport, promote less polluting modes of travel, and create conditions for safe and convenient transportation for all population groups. This includes the development of public transport, improvement of pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, sharing services, and decarbonization of the transport sector by transitioning to zero-emission vehicles and solutions.
Sustainable transport is important not only from an environmental but also from a social perspective – it helps ensure equitable travel opportunities, reduce car dependency, and create a safer, healthier, and more convenient living environment.
Useful links
Situation
in Tauragė
The transport sector is the most significant source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Tauragė district – in 2018, it accounted for 63.1% of all municipal emissions, making transportation one of the most important areas for achieving climate neutrality.
Considering the situation, Tauragė has been consistently strengthening its public transport system in recent years. Tauragė was the first municipality in Lithuania to acquire electric buses with EU funding, and public transport routes and infrastructure have been updated (route schemes and schedules are provided here).
Public transport is organized not only at the municipal but also at the regional level. In 2021, the public institution “Žaliasis regionas” (Green Region) was established (more information), one of its goals being the organization of regional public transport services. Through its initiative, the Tauragė Region Electronic Ticket was created – a common system connecting the municipalities of Tauragė, Jurbarkas, Šilalė districts, and Pagėgiai. Information on how to purchase an electronic ticket is provided here, and regional route schedules can be found here.
At the same time, bicycle infrastructure is being developed in Tauragė, enabling daily car-free commutes. The city and district have 75 bicycle storage facilities with automatic unlocking systems and video surveillance, as well as bicycle racks and parking areas, and bicycle paths are being laid. Information on how to register to use bicycle storage facilities is provided here.
Electromobility infrastructure is also being developed in Tauragė – the municipality, together with public and private entities, is expanding the network of electric vehicle charging stations, and municipal institutions and companies are gradually updating their vehicle fleets, replacing polluting vehicles with electric ones.
Actions in the transport sector in Tauragė are implemented based on the Tauragė City Sustainable Mobility Plan and the Tauragė District Climate Neutrality Strategy, which identifies the transport sector as one of the priority areas for significant GHG emission reduction.
Anticipated changes in Tauragė
Development of clean transport and its necessary infrastructure
– will promote the transition to electric and other clean-fuel vehicles, including passenger cars, buses, and heavy transport. It is planned to replace polluting passenger vehicles, buses, and heavy transport owned by the municipality and its managed companies with clean-fuel vehicles, and to create conditions for natural and legal persons to acquire clean vehicles. At the same time, electromobility infrastructure will be developed – electric vehicle charging stations will be installed in households, the public sector, and businesses, and an electromobility hub will be created in Tauragė district municipality.
Development and improvement of the public transport system
Development of cycling and pedestrian infrastructure
Car usage and parking solutions in the city
Optimization of car usage and sharing solutions
Involvement of residents and organizations in sustainable mobility
Projects
Development of a Cohesive Bicycle Path Network in Tauragė
The project involves the creation of a cohesive bicycle path network by integrating non-motorized transport into the general transport system of Tauragė city. During the project, it is planned to install/modernize 16.993 km of bicycle infrastructure, thereby establishing a cohesive bicycle path network in Tauragė city. More information can be found here.
Electric Vehicle Procurement
The Tauragė District Municipality Administration is updating its vehicle fleet by acquiring electric vehicles, aiming to utilize environmentally friendly transport. The Administration has already purchased 4 electric vehicles with the goal of converting the entire municipal administration’s transport to electric.
Electric Buses
2019 Tauragė was the first municipality in Lithuania to purchase electric buses for public transport using EU funding. The goal for 2030 is 18 electric buses.
Public Institution “Green Region”
In 2021, the Public Institution “Green Region” was established (more information can be found here), one of whose goals is to organize regional public transport services. The Tauragė region’s electronic ticket was introduced – this is a common public transport system that connects the municipalities of Tauragė, Jurbarkas, Šilalė districts, and Pagėgiai city, allowing unlimited travel throughout the entire region. How to purchase an electronic ticket can be found here, and route timetables can be found here.
Pedestrian and Bicycle Path from the Pier to the Pedestrian Bridge
In 2023, the design of an approximately 1.5 km pedestrian and bicycle path along the seashore, from the pier in Tarailiai settlement to the pedestrian bridge, was initiated. Modern lighting, rest areas with benches, bicycle racks, and waste bins will be installed.
Mission for a Climate-Neutral Municipality by 2030
In 2022, Tauragė District Municipality was included in the list of 100 European cities that, under the EU mission “100 Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities,” will aim to implement an experimental innovation program and become climate-neutral settlements by 2030. Learn more – Cities Mission.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Currently, 18 electric vehicle charging stations have been installed, and by 2030, the network of stations is planned to be expanded to 101 units, capable of simultaneously charging 144 electric vehicles. The map of existing and planned electric vehicle charging stations can be found here.
Bicycle storage facilities and bicycle racks
In 2022, 75 lockable bicycle storage facilities were installed next to apartment buildings. Additionally, 235 bicycle racks were set up near educational institutions, and 2 covered bicycle parking areas were established in the city center. The bicycle storage facilities are equipped with video surveillance cameras and lighting. Residents have the option to charge electric bicycles and scooters. Information on how to register for the use of bicycle storage facilities can be found here.
Statistics
What can
I do?
Contact
us
