Over 25 million expected to use Luas this year

More than 25 million people are expected to use the Dublin's Luas light rail system this year and to cater for this demand services are being increased.

From September the frequency of trains on the Green line from Sandyford to Stephen's Green will be increased to every four minutes while capacity on the Red Line will grow by 40 per cent in 2007 once the length of the trams are increased from 30 to 40 meter trains.

25 million people are expected to use the Luas this year

The Rail Procurement Agency (RPA), which today published the annual report and financial review of Luas for 2005, said more than 21 million passengers used the service last year, over the 20 million passenger break-even level. As a result Luas will not require a subsidy for 2006.

Frank Allen, RPA ceo said the success of the service was based on passengers using the Luas in what were traditionally 'off-peak' hours over the weekends or in the evenings. As a result people were choosing to leave their cars at home.

Padraic White, RPA chairman said the Luas project had been delivered on time and within the €775 million budget.

More than 61,000 people used the Luas every day and to date this year that average is up to 70,000 per day, he said.

During 2005, the first full-year of Luas operation the RPA recorded a surplus of €228,000 and as a result it does not require the subsidy of €2.5 million budgeted for by the Department of Transport.

The development of the metro to Dublin airport is the biggest project for the RPA, Mr Allen said. As part of a public consultation process on which route should be taken more than 2,000 responses have been received. The RPA expects this line to be built and running by 2012.

The RPA is also in discussions with Dublin city council, Dublin Bus and enterprise groups about a route to join the two existing Luas lines. The RPA admitted that regardless of the option chosen the construction period for this new line was unlikely to be under two years and co-operation would be required from transport providers and the public during this period.

Mr White also outlined plans to extend the two existing lines under public private partnerships. The 7.5km Green line extension to Cherrywood would be 50 per cent funded by Dun Laoghaire Council and developers. Mr White declined to put a value on this contribution saying that to do so could prejudice the tender process but he said the combination of cash and land was significant.

Once built, ownership and control of this section of the Luas would revert wholly to the RPA. A similar arrangement is in place for the citywest extension.

Luas is the only the State-owned transport operator not requiring a subsidy.