Cullen views tram extensions for Tallaght Luas line and announces €51.2 million in Government Investment for 18 new trams

Date: 17 April 2007

Transport Minister, Martin Cullen, TD today (Tuesday 17 April 2007) visited the Luas depot in Dublin, which is located at the Red Cow, off the N7, where he met with mechanics and engineers who are preparing tram extensions for the Luas Red line.
Minister Cullen was accompanied on the visit by Mr Tom Mulcahy, Chairman of the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) and by Mr Brian Brennan, General Manager of Veolia Transport, the RPA’s operating partners. The Luas Red line runs from Connolly Station to Tallaght in Dublin 24, serving 21 other stops on the route. Twenty-six trams operate on the Red line and these trams are now being extended from 30 to 40 metres to provide for a 40% increase in capacity. Minister Cullen was also present for the exchange of contracts between the RPA with the European manufacturing firm, Alstom Transport for the delivery of 18 new additional trams, to be used on both the Red and Green Luas lines. Government funding under Transport 21, to the value of €51.2 million has been provided for these extra trams.

Viewing the tram extension work at the depot works area, Minister Cullen said: “Since its introduction in 2004, Luas has proven to be an attractive means of transport for commuters. Last year (2006), 26 million passengers used the two Luas lines - a 16% increase on 2005. Most of this growth was on the Tallaght Red line, which carried 13.7 million passengers - 24% up on the 2005 figure. The extensions now being provided for the Red line trams will allow for an additional five million passengers to travel on the line”. The Minister added: “The first of the extended trams are due to be in service next month”.

The Minister said that today’s signed contract for the delivery of 18 new additional trams under Transport 21, will see the Red line and the Green line each get four of the new trams. Eight trams are being provided to facilitate the extension of the Green line from Sandyford to Cherrywood, with the remaining two to be used on the Connolly to Docklands extension on the Red line. Delivery of the new trams, which will be manufactured in Barcelona will begin in 2008. The contract for the new trams includes options to increase the fleet of trams for future extensions to the Luas lines, such as the proposed Luas spur line to Citywest.

Luas trams, which are electric power driven, use modern technology in terms of energy consumption and have a regenerative braking system installed. This means that when a tram brakes, its energy is not completely lost, as it would be for a car. Energy is fed back into the Overhead Catenary System (OCS) i.e. the system of overhead wires used to supply the electricity, for other trams to use. The portion of energy regenerated can reach 30%.

Minister Cullen said: “The large number of passengers using Luas results in a major reduction in the effective carbon emissions for commuting in any year. A comparison of the estimated CO2 emissions for a commuter using cars with the equivalent for Luas trams show a CO2 emission of 176kg of CO2 per person using the Luas, whereas a person driving a landrover/jeep will release 6,016kg of CO2, and driving a family car 1,664kg of CO2. We need to facilitate a switch in transport mode from the private car to public transport, thereby reducing green house gas emissions in the transport sector. Luas users should be aware, and proud, of the energy efficiency of their chosen transport mode.”

Minister Cullen concluded: “Government investment of €51.2 million in 18 new trams will deliver a service that will offer greater choice and more frequent services to Luas customers. Through the Government’s Transport 21 programme, Luas is delivering and will continue to deliver a modern and effective transport system in our capital city for thousands of people who use it every day. Metro North and Metro West will prove likewise.”

Issued by, Michelle Hoctor, 087 8563070
Veronica Scanlan, 087 6430622