Minister opens competition for LUAS franchise

The Minister for Public Entreprise, Mary O'Rourke, has announced details to select an operator for Dublin's first light rail lines which will open in 2003. The LUAS operators should be known by next Autumn.

This tendering process to operate light rail services in Dublin is expected to attract considerable interest from both inside and outside Ireland. The franchise will be for the operation of the Tallaght to Connolly Station line and the Sandyford to Saint Stephen's Green line. Both of these lines are scheduled to commence business in two years. The Tallaght to Connolly Station line will have capacity for 2,800 passengers per hour, while the Sandyford to Saint Stephen's Green line will take up to 4,600. Minister O'Rourke says the proposed LUAS system is likely to attract a number of potential operators from the UK and Europe.