Luas - A bit to do yet

In 2004 Dublin's new Light Rail System began operating. While most heralded it as a major success and Platform 11 welcomes its introduction, it was and continues to be a project with problems.

Background

Since the idea was first presented by CIE in the early 1990s, it has been used as a political football. At the time it was nothing more than a "watered down" and "cheaper" version of CIE's original Rail Transit plan drawn up in the 1970s. The project returned to the drawing boards more often than Draughtsmen do, during a 9 to 5 spell. By 1997 stage one of the project was ready to roll. This involved a line from Tallaght and a line from Sandyford. Both lines met in the City Centre. However, due to a change of Government, this plan was stalled as an argument ensued (Stirred up by the New Fianna Fail/Progressive Democrat administration) on whether the line should run under or over ground in the City Centre. This caused major delays to the project, lead to a loss of EU funding and cost a considerable sum of money on consultants reports. The end result of this political interference has left us with two Luas lines that aren't connected in the City Centre. The reason given for this in 1999 was that the Sandyford Luas line would eventually be upgraded to a Metro and meet the Tallaght Luas line in or around O'Connell/Abbey Street. As most of us know now, the current Metro proposal does not include upgrading the Sandyford Luas line and the two Luas lines remain unconnected. The same Government that prevented a connection have now given the go ahead for a route study on how the lines should be joined, even though a route was chosen and a light rail order granted in 1996! One other strange development was the formation of the RPA (Rail Procurement Agency) under a change to the Transport Act in 2000. To this day, no concrete reason has been given as to why this agency was created to oversee the development of Luas and the Metro. We can only speculate that the Government didn't trust CIE to construct and operate these projects. However the RPA's performance in managing the construction of the current Luas lines was an absolute shambles.

Present day

The Current Lines

The two Luas lines opened in 2004, a little over two months apart. The fact that they weren't connected at any point was already a well documented failing. However Platform 11 had also identified another shortcoming on the Tallaght line. The Trams that operate between Connolly station and the Square in Tallaght are only 30 metres in length, while the Trams on the Sandyford line are 40 metres in length. In simple terms this means that the 40 metre trams can carry more people. Platform 11 measured the platforms on the Tallaght line and they are long enough to handle a 40 metre tram. So we issued a press release in April 2004 to highlight the issue. In media interviews with the RPA, they claimed that our belief that shorter trams on the Tallaght line would create unnecessary over crowding, was "nonsense". This remark was made on Newstalk 106 by Ger Hannon of the RPA. So Platform 11 issued a second press release. A mere 12 months later and the crush loads on the Tallaght line were causing problems. Step forward Mr. Tom Manning from the blessed RPA, again on Newstalk 106, to say that the RPA are looking at the possibility of making the Trams longer, yes you read correctly, LONGER, on the Tallaght line. Does this inspire confidence in the RPA?

Proposed Extensions

Currently there are two extensions planned, one on the Green line, southwards from Sandyford with a second extension from Connolly sation to the Point Depot through the IFSC serving the new station at Spencer Dock. A number of other extensions have been mooted, we await the announcement of the 10 year plan for exact details.

Sandyford to Cherrywood

Plans for this route where briefly available earliy this year from the Rail Procurement agency. Copies of these plans may be found here for download. If you are a resident in the Glencairn, Gallops, Ballyogan or Carrickmines area you should take the time to check if the route impacts on you.

We have prepared a brief description of the route to help you make sense of the plans. Platform 11 has major concerns over these plans and following a site visit to inspect the problems a report is being written. We are liaising with people on the ground to explain the plans and to show that other superior options exist. When the plans are formally released we will make a report available detailing the issues and concerns we have.

Connolly Station to The Point Depot

No plans are currently available but the route is a straight line from Harbourmaster Place along Mayor Street to the Point Depot. This line is critical to ensure that Spencer Dock station is integrated properly.

Platform 11 Luas policy

• Platform 11 will continue to press for 40 metre Trams on the Tallaght line.


• Platform 11 will monitor the current route planning for connecting both lines and call on all involved to make sure this project is done as a matter of urgency.


• We continue to monitor the performance of CONNEX.


• We will endeavour to promote the building of more Luas lines on the North side of the city to areas such as Ballymun and Westside towards Lucan.


• We have also studied closely the proposed extension to Cherrywood. A copy of our report will be available in the near future.