Dublin (Luas), or back to: [UK-page]

Sources: Department of Public Enterprise, LUAS (Dublin); Light Rail Atlas; Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA).
(C) RVDB / Rob van der Bijl, October 2002 - January 2005
update: 100105

Unfortunately 'muddling on' represents the past and current planning process very well. Nevertheless, Dublin announced their new Light Rail network. And opened the Red Line and the Green Line September 28 and June 30, 2004 respectively. So, perhaps it will be 'muddling through', as the tramway will stay an important part of the future network, but metro-like proposals keep turning up.

Luas, the Irish word for 'speed', is the name of the new Light Rail system for Dublin and its suburbs. According to the Light Rail Transit Association, the plans have gone through several phases of revision with much discussion of the merits of street or underground running in the city centre.

Two lines of the proposed network have been built (Red and Green, respectively the former A/C and B). These lines have a mixture of street running, reserved track and dedicated right-of-way. They are not connected. Other Light Rail lines are in the planning stage and will be put in to service perhaps by 2010.
An earlier scheme using on-street running through the city centre has been rejected in favour of underground running. Therefore = perhaps! = the Light Rail system will be complemented by a metro system on totally segregated track including tunnels in the city centre.
The first Metro line could run from Shanganagh to the Airport (and later to Swords). Phase 1 of this line was given the government go-ahead in January 2002. It will share track with Luas Green Line from Cherrywood to Ranelagh before diving underground through the city centre.
But early 2005 it becomes clear that the metro scheme will be very expensive, perhaps too expensive. To be continued...

Red Line

Red Line: from Tallaght to Connolly Station. An extension to the Docks is in the planning stage (however delayed).

Green Line

Green Line: from Sandyford to St Stephens Green (mostly on the track-bed of a disused railway).

Trams

Dublin-tram at Alstom factory, LaRochelle, France

26 Citadis 301A vehicles have been built by Alstom for the Red Line. Length: 30 metres. Capacity: 235 people (60 seats).

14 additional Citadis 301A vehicles with extra centre sections have been built by Alstom for the Green Line. Length: 40 metres. Capacity: 300 people (80 seats).

The trams (and future Metro cars) are standard gauge, 1435 mm. (4' 8.5") unlike the existing rail lines in Ireland which adhere to the Irish gauge width (5' 3").

Discussion

Why building and choosing Luas.... and proposing a full Metro at the same time? If you know the answer, like Daniel Crowley (below), please e-mail Lightrail.nl!

LU(as)NACY!!! "Millions of euro wasted"

by Daniel Crowley

Now that the LUAS is open, they still cannot decide how to get to the airport? Heavy rail on a spur line? Metro? or Luas extension. The fiasco at Connolly Station ramp should be set down in transport history as the "great fiasco". They planned to end at Connolly and designed and begin work on a ramp. They then decided to proceed past the station to the quays but rather than design the tramway along the route, they maintained a few metres of spur onto the ramp - requiring a reversing maneuver for trains proceeding to the quay and back to the city!!
Millions of euro wasted. It is only 70 or so years since they dug up a whole tramway system in Dublin!!!