An extension to Dublin’s Luas Green Line to Finglas has reached the consultation stage.
The 4km extension to the tram line will see four new stops added which will make the area of Luas available to 30,000 people who live within 1km of the stop.
Eamon Ryan T.D., Minister for Climate Action, Communications Networks and Transport announced the launch of a Public Consultation for Luas Finglas and welcomed the first of eight new Luas 55m trams into service. These larger trams will increase Luas capacity on some of the busiest sections of the network.
The National Transport Authority and Transport Infrastructure Ireland have developed an Emerging Preferred Route for Luas Finglas and are inviting comments from all stakeholders and members of the public on the proposed route.
Luas Finglas will be constructed mostly in grass track and a cycle and pedestrian path will be constructed along much of the line, providing family-friendly, sustainable, convenient access between northside communities and the city centre. The final stop at Charlestown, close to the M50, will include a 600-vehicle park and ride facility.
Submissions on the proposed route can be made on www.luasfinglas.ie where all details of Emerging Preferred Route are available. The site includes a virtual consultation facility, a first for public transport projects in Ireland. This user-friendly method to access information allows Northern Ireland’s infrastructure projects to proceed on schedule despite Covid-19 restrictions.
Minister Ryan said; “I am delighted to announce this consultation on the Emerging Preferred Route for Luas Finglas. I encourage the public and stakeholders to take part in this Public Consultation so we can deliver a major public transport improvement to Finglas and north Dublin. I’m also very pleased to see the first of eight new 55m Luas trams going into passenger service and to see that half of the 44m trams have now being extended. I am also pleased there will be a pedestrian and cycling path along most of the route. The government is committed to improving sustainable public transport. I look forward to the Luas network and fleet growing in the coming months and years.”
Anne Graham, CEO National Transport Authority said: “The extension of the Luas to Finglas is a clear example of the kind of progress we are making in planning to invest in ambitious and exciting sustainable transport solutions. I believe that Luas has the potential to be transformative for this part of the city and will further enhance the area for people who live here, work here, or want to run a business here. We are anxious to get feedback on this proposal, so I encourage members of the local community to engage with this consultation process and let us know what you think.”
Michael Nolan, CEO Transport Infrastructure Ireland said: “Transport Infrastructure Ireland is delighted to achieve this progress for Luas. Public Consultation is always a vital step and we hope anyone interested in the project will make a submission. Transport Infrastructure Ireland, Alstom and Transdev have been working hard to improve Luas capacity and it is great to see the new 55m tram here in Dublin and that we are now half way to extending the 44m tram fleet. We’ll continue to work hard over the coming months to get all the new and extended trams into passenger service.”
Nick Crossfield, Managing Director, Alstom Ireland and UK, said: “Alstom’s trams have served Dublin for over a decade, providing a reliable, efficient and comfortable service for the city’s commuters and visitors from all over the world. This brand new 55m tram will create more space for passengers on Luas, and we are proud to be working with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Transdev to improve the service for everyone that uses it. Dublin was one of the first cities in the world to adopt Citadis trams and now passengers rely on them in over 50 cities worldwide. With this brand new 55m tram, the longest we have ever built, Dublin is leading the world again.”
