Cullen turns sod on 16kms Castleblayney Bypass

Date: 29 November 2005

"passenger capacity to increase by 40%"

In a new development in the implementation of "Transport 21" today (Sunday, 20th November 2005) the Minister for Transport, Mr. Martin Cullen TD, has approved a business case from the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) aimed at increasing passenger capacity on the Tallaght Luas line by 40%.

Since its introduction a year ago, Luas has proven an attractive means of transport and the Tallaght line has experienced strong monthly growth. Currently, between 30,000 and 40,000 passengers per day are travelling on this line that has 26 trams in operation.

Minister Cullen said; "this investment in public transport will offer increased capacity and greater and improved services to the growing number of passengers using the Tallaght Line that links the three main city centre transport hubs at Connolly, Busaras and Heuston stations. As increased capacity on Irish Rail services under Transport 21 into Heuston and Connolly stations will further increase demand on the Tallaght Line, this Government will provide the services needed to meet those demands and offer greater choice to passengers."

This Luas capacity expansion is part of a planned upgrade of services to provide for increased demand on the line up to 2011. The increase will be achieved by increasing the length of the trams by 10 metres, making them the same length as trams on the Sandyford to Stephen's Green line.

Minister Cullen said that the first of the extended trams will enter service in 2007 and the upgrade will be completed in 2008. The project will not involve interruption to services.

The RPA plan to provide additional trams on the Sandyford to Stephen's Green line as part of the extension of that line to Cherrywood. In the meantime, they are looking at shorter term measures to meet increasing demand. Last week, Minister Cullen received an application for a Railway Order (rail equivalent of planning permission) from the RPA to extend the line and has directed that a Public Inquiry, chaired by an independent inspector be established as required by legislation.

ENDS

Further information:

Veronica Scanlan (01) 6041087 / 087 6430622