Decline in Luas passenger numbers

[Colm Moore]

Reports available here: http://www.rpa.ie/en/rpa/about/Pages/AnnualReports.aspx

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...reaking57.html

Decline in Luas passenger numbers
CHARLIE TAYLOR

The number of commuters using the Luas fell by 8 per cent from 2008 to 2009, according to the Railway Procurement Agency's (RPA) annual report, which was published today.

The decline comes after strong growth in passenger numbers in each year since the launch of the Luas in June 2004.

A total of 25.4 million passenger trips were taken last year compared to 27.4 million in 2008, and 26 million in 2007.

The reduction in passenger numbers was attributed to a decline in numbers of people at work and to a drop in consumer spending in retailing and entertainment.

According to the annual report the Luas system made a pre-tax profit of €2.3 million in 2009 down from €6.5 million a year earlier.

RPA chief executive Frank Allen said that the decline in passenger numbers had continued into 2010 and warned that the agency may have to take action to contain costs.

Last year saw the opening of an extension to the red line from Busáras to The Point During 2009 work also progressed on extensions to the red and green Luas Lines to Citywest and Cherrywood. The last piece of railway track for the €300 million Cherrywood extension was welded into place earlier this month. The line is due to open to the public in October. The Citywest extension is expected to be completed next year.

Mr Allen said progress had also been made last year on Metro North, which when completed, will interchange with existing Luas lines, with the Dart and with suburban rail services.

The Dublin Metro project was given a significant boost earlier this month when the European Investment Bank announced it had approved a €500 million loan in principle.

Mr Allen said that while questions have been raised about whether Metro North should proceed, he believed the case for the project remains strong.

"The infrastructure deficit that Metro North is intended to address remains and the contribution that this project can make to economic competitiveness is more important today than when the project was first proposed," he said.

The RPA said the number of accidents involving Luas had fallen in 2009, despite the serious crash which occurred in September when a Luas tram collided with a double-decker bus on O'Connell Street. Twenty one people were injured in the crash.

The agency also said it remained concerned about incidents of anti-social behaviour on the Luas.

Last year, Veolia, the company which operates Luas, employed extra security staff due to a rise in an increase in crime and disorderly behaviour, including pickpocketing, vandalism and begging.

[Colm Moore]

http://www.rte.ie/business/2010/0524/rpa.html

Luas numbers fell 8% last year
Monday, 24 May 2010 15:24

The Railway Procurement Agency has reported an after-tax surplus of €3.8m for last year, though the number of passengers carried on Dublin's Luas light rail lines fell 8% to 25.4 million.

The RPA blamed the fall in passenger numbers on fewer people at work and lower consumer spending on shopping and entertainment. The agency says surpluses generated by Luas business are kept to fund future investment in the service.

During the year, the extension of the existing Red Line from Busáras to The Point was opened, while building work continued on further Luas extensions to Citywest and Cherrywood.

The RPA report says 'significant progress' was made with on statutory approvals and procurement processes for the proposed Metro North line to Dublin Airport

The agency says the case for Metro North remains strong. 'The infrastructure deficit that Metro North is intended to address remains and the contribution that this project can make to economic competitiveness is as important today as when the project was first proposed,' the report says.

[Colm Moore]

http://www.rpa.ie/en/news/Pages/RPAR...uasin2009.aspx

RPA Reports Operating Surplus on Luas in 2009

The Railway Procurement Agency today 24th May 2010 published its Annual Report for the year ended 31st December 2009.

Luas carried 25.4 million passengers in 2009 which represents a decrease of approximately 8% over 2008. The reduction in passenger numbers is explained by a decline in numbers of people at work and the reduced consumer spending in retailing and entertainment. The decline in 2009 comes after strong growth in passenger numbers in each year since the launch of service in 2004. Passenger numbers remain high on both Red and Green lines, particularly at peak commuting times.

RPA management is pleased to report that despite the decline in passenger numbers, RPA generated an operating surplus of €3.8 million (after tax). Surpluses generated by Luas business are retained to fund future asset refurbishment. This will help ensure that the high quality of Luas passenger services currently delivered can be maintained.

The Annual Report also reports on excellent progress made during 2009 in delivery of new projects promoted by RPA under the Government’s investment programme, Transport 21. The year saw the opening of an extension to the existing Red Line from Busáras to The Point which was an important milestone in the development of integrated land use and transport planning in Dublin. The year also saw the continued construction of extensions to the Red and Green Luas Lines to Citywest and Cherrywood. Significant progress was made with the statutory approvals and procurement processes for Metro North. The case for Metro North remains strong; the infrastructure deficit that Metro North is intended to address remains and the contribution that this project can make to economic competitiveness is as important today as when the project was first proposed.

Click here to view or download RPA Annual Report 2009

[Mark Hennessy]

In the event that the Luas makes a "loss", how much profit will Veoila have made?

Also, will the accumulated profits (i.e. the future fund to pay for maintenance) be raided if the Luas makes a "loss".

I'd love to know how much margin Veolia are making from the hidden contract with the RPA and if the RPA can adjust it downward in order to ensure value for the cutomers, i.e. they don't make the shortfall with steep fare hikes.

[Mark Gleeson]

The veoila contract, i.e. what the RPA pay them is linked to the consumer price index so Veoila got less this year than last