Luas Docklands (Line C1)|Opening Before Christmas 2009

[essoII]

New docklands spur is apparently to open late this year, not early next! That's some good news anyway.

http://www.rpa.ie/en/news/Pages/LuasDocklands(LineC1)OpeningBeforeChristmas2009.as px

[Colm Moore]

http://www.luas.ie/page.php?name=Watch_out_for_Luas

Watch out for Luas!

Luas Docklands will open before Christmas 2009. Test running of trams on the Luas Red Line extension to The Point will increase in frequency from Monday November 16th prior to the December launch of full passenger services.

For safety reasons passengers are not allowed to board the trams during this testing phrase.

If you are walking, running, cycling or driving in the area you will need to be more careful and watch out and listen for trams.

We look forward to welcoming you on board!

Full details about testing times and dates and safety and traffic movements are available on www.rpa.ie. Click here for more information.


Click here to download Frequently Asked Questions about test running of trams.

Click here to download the Luas Docklands (Busáras-The Point) (C1) safety leaflet

Click here to read more about the Luas Red Line extension to The Point.

http://www.luas.ie/ul/WATCH%20OUT%20...2013_11_09.pdf

WATCH OUT FOR LUAS
Increased Testing of Luas Trams on Luas Docklands
From November 16th 2009 Onwards
Your Questions Answered
What does Testing Luas Trams on Luas Docklands mean?
The extension of the Luas Red Line to The Point will open before Christmas 2009. Part of the final phases of construction is testing the new section of the line by running Luas trams along it.
Can I get these Luas?
No, these trams are for testing only and are not operating a passenger services. Luas passenger services will continue as normal between Tallaght and Connolly on the Luas Red Line?
Will these tests affect the rest of the Luas Red Line?
No, Luas passenger services will continue as normal between Tallaght and Connolly on the Luas Red Line?
When will these tests happen?
The tests have been ongoing from Sept but will intensify from November 16th 2009.
How will I be affected?
If you are walking, running, cycling or driving in the area you will need to be more careful and look out and listen for trams, read the specific safety information for walkers, runners, cyclists and drivers below.
I walk in the area regularly, what should I do to stay safe?
• If you are walking in the area follow these simple steps to stay safe around Luas;
• Watch our for Luas
• Look both ways before crossing
• Headphone and Mobile phones may distract you so make sure you are listing out for Luas
• Listen for horns and warning bells
• Use designated pedestrian crossing to cross the tram tracks
• Obey signs, signals and road markings, safe pedestrian routes will be clearly marked
• Be Safe, Be Seen. Wear Hi-Vis clothing
• Stay away from overhead electricity cables, they conduct 750 Volts
I run in the area regularly, what should I do to stay safe?
• If you are running in the area follow the same steps as to stay safe around Luas;
•
• Watch our for Luas
• Look both ways before crossing
•
• Headphone and Mobile phones may distract you so make sure you are listing out for Luas
• Listen for horns and warning bells
• Use designated pedestrian crossing to cross the tram tracks
• Obey signs, signals and road markings, safe pedestrian routes will be clearly marked
• Be Safe, Be Seen: Wear Hi-Vis clothing
• Stay away from overhead electricity cables, they conduct 750 Volts
I cycle in the area regularly, what should I do to stay safe?
• If you are cycling in the area follow these simple steps to stay safe around Luas;
•
• Watch our for Luas
• Do not cycle in tram lanes
• Obey signs, signals and road markings, safe pedestrian routes will be clearly marked
• When cycling across a Luas track watch out for the grove in the tracks and always cross at an angle to prevent your wheels getting stuck
• Look both ways before crossing
• Headphone and Mobile phones may distract you so make sure you are listing out for Luas
• Listen for horns and warning bells
• Use designated junctions to cross the tram tracks
• Prepare to cross well in advance and take you time crossing
• Use hand signals to let other road users know where you are going
• Be Safe, Be Seen. Wear Hi-Vis clothing
• Stay away from overhead electricity cables, they conduct 750 Volts
• I drive in the area regularly, will the routes I drive change?
• To provide for the requirements of all road users, including tram and road vehicle movements, new traffic lights will be brought into operation at he following junctions;
•
• Mayor Street & Commons Street
• Mayor Street & Guild Street
• Mayor Street & New Wapping Street
• Mayor Street & Castleforbes Road
• Mayor Street & the access to the Spencer Dock
• Mayor Street & the future National Conference Centre
• Mayor Street & Park Lane
• Detailed information on traffic movements is available on Luas Docklands Construction Update No. 24 Special Edition available on this website for the following areas;
•
• Between Amiens Street and Commons Street
•
• Between Commons Street and Guild Street
• On Alderman Way
• At Spencer Dock Luas Bridge
•
• On Mayor Street Upper at Spencer Dock
• On Mayor Street Upper between Spencer Dock and New Wapping Street
I drive in the area regularly, what should I do to stay safe?
• If you are driving in the area follow these simple steps to stay safe around Luas;
•
• Watch our for Luas
•
• Do not drive in tram lanes
• Obey signs, signals and road markings, safe pedestrian routes will be clearly marked
• Get familiar with the new road markings and signs listed below
• Use junctions to cross the tram tracks
• Use designated junctions to cross the tram tracks
• Look in all directions ways before crossing
• Mobile phones can distract you so never drive with a mobile.
• Listen for horns and warning bells
• Never block the path of the trams
• Never block a yellow box
• Prepare to cross well in advance and take you time crossing
• Never break a red light and do not risk crossing the tracks on an amber light
• Turn on your lights if dull or dark light conditions
•
• Stay away from overhead electricity cables, they conduct 750 Volts
Other / Further Queries?
Testing and works will be carried out by contractors on behalf of Railway Procurement Agency, for more information log on to www.rpa.ie, E-mail info@rpa.ie or Freephone 1800 67 6464.

[Colm Moore]

http://www.luas.ie/page.php?name=Lua...8 th_Dec_2009

LUAS TO THE POINT OPENING 3PM TUES 8TH DEC 2009

The extension of the Luas Red Line from Busáras to The Point will open to the public from circa 3pm on Tuesday 8th December. Normal passenger services will start on Wednesday 9th December from 5.30am.
We would like to invite you to come and see the new Luas line to The Point. Hop on and off for free at George’s Dock, Mayor Square – NCI, Spencer Dock and The Point after 3pm on Tuesday 8th December. Enjoy the atmosphere with carol singers, a gospel choir, Santa's Groto,a pipe band, a sneak preview of the Christmas market, face painters, stilt walkers and much, much more.


Click here to read or download details of the new Operating Hours, Service Frequency and Fares

Click here to read more about the Red Line extension, Luas Docklands (Busáras to The Point) (Line C1)

[chris]

So it looks like the service pattern will be:

Eastbound
2 trams continue to the Point (without stopping at Connolly)
1 tram terminates at Connolly.

Westbound
2 trams start from the Point (but don't stop at Connolly)
1 tram starts at Connolly

One problem with this is that it appears it is not possible to travel from Connolly to Docklands, or the other way round. Passengers would have to know to use the nearby Busaras stop.

Could this be changed as follows:

Eastbound
1 through service to Point
1 service to the Point stopping at Connolly
1 service terminating at Connolly

Westbound
1 service starts at Point (without stopping at Connolly)
1 service starts at Point (stops at Connolly) - given 2 minutes extra headway since it loses this at Connolly
1 service starts at Connolly

Or is that asking too much.

[Thomas Ralph]

I'm not sure the drivers would like to be changing ends at Connolly.

[chris]

But they already have to do this. Plus it's a 40m tram for heavens sake. I would be glad of the walk if I had to sit all day. It's even covered for them.

[markpb]

What you're proposing would add 4-6 minutes per trip with no real advantage over asking people to walk from busaras. It would introduce a lot of tram-tram and tram-car conflicts at an already busy junction.

[chris]

Fair enough, it may take 4-6 minutes, I'm not sure.

My basic point is this though. We were promised that Connolly and Docklands station would be well connected by the Luas. This will become even more important when the interconnector is built. As it stands, there will be no direct trams between these two stations.

It doesn't matter that Busaras is close - on a schematic map it doesn't look close and adds a level of confusion that the average Irish commuter (nevermind tourist) could be put off by.

Further, the walking route from Connolly - Busaras Luas is absolutely dire. I am not entirely sure where pedestrians are supposed to cross that road. An improvement here is the very least that is needed.

Another possibility is running a single tram back and forwards between the Point and Connolly. This doesn't have time disadvantages for through passengers, and there should be enough capacity at Connolly given so few trams will serve it from the Tallaght direction.

[Mark Gleeson]

There is no connection of any kind to Docklands station, Spencer Dock station when built will have excellent Luas connectivity outside its front door

[Colm Moore]

http://www.rpa.ie/en/news/Pages/RPAC...Committee.aspx

RPA Chief Executive confirms opening of Luas Docklands to Oireachtas Joint Committee

On 18th November 2009, Frank Allen, Chief Executive of RPA, confirmed to the Joint Oireachtas Transport Committee that the extension of the Luas Red Line from Busáras to The Point will open on Tuesday 8th December 2009. Services open to the public will start at 3pm on Tuesday 8th December and regular passenger services will start on Wednesday 9th December.

Click here to view or download RPA Chief Executives Opening Statement to Joint Oireachtas Transport Committee

[Portarlington Mini]

Shame that the rail supplement for onward city centre connections (as used on bus routes 90/92 and Luas between Heuston and Connolly) is only valid on the new Docklands Luas extension as far as George's Dock. Anyone wanting to go to Spencer Dock or beyond will have to buy two tickets or risk being fined.

[Mark Gleeson]

Thats cheeky and not on

[finnyus]

What happens at the moment if you want to go on the Luas in the direction of Tallaght? Can you get a supplement to a normal rail ticket?

Any time I am travelling up to Dub (City Center) I think the option is not there when you want to travel on one of the trains with the special one-way offer, otherwise the price of the train ticket goes to its maximum web fare? ...so I never get the supplement.

Should the extension be covered by the City Center area zone?

[Portarlington Mini]

No, the existing supplement is not valid west of Heuston. But at least this means you know have to buy a Luas ticket before you get on. Travelling the other direction on a tram from Heuston to The Point, the supplement will be valid but not to the end of the line, so you have to get off and buy another ticket, get off and walk, try and pre-pay the for extra couple of stops (and there is no BIK tax saver product for this) or, as said earlier, risk being fined.

[Thomas Ralph]

The Dublin City Centre fare should be available in conjunction with the €10/€15/€20 web fares. If not, please let us have the details of the journey you're trying to book (although not in this thread).

[dowlingm]

Not sure this is completely offside. IE/CIE are basically facilitating Heuston/Connolly transfers, not commuter traffic in general.

[Colm Moore]

Originally Posted by dowlingm

Not sure this is completely offside. IE/CIE are basically facilitating Heuston/Connolly transfers, not commuter traffic in general.

And Heuston-Docklands? You know that alleged connection from Docklands to Spencer Dock?

[dowlingm]

that was only Dick Fearn having ye on

[Thomas Ralph]

There's the 151 bus...

[Colm Moore]

Originally Posted by Thomas Ralph

There's the 151 bus...

But that does a Docklands-Adamstown connection. And route 90 finishes at 10am.