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Cullen switches track to push for euro 70m Luas link-up plan
A link-up of Dublin's two Luas lines will be pushed by Transport Minister Martin Cullen in cabinet discussions on the capital's commuter needs.
Irish Independent - November 1, 2004

Cullen considers linking Luas lines
A proposal to connect the two Luas lines in Dublin city centre will be brought before the Government in the next few months, a senior minister confirmed today.
Ireland on Line - November 1, 2004

Committee to probe LUAS accident rate
Officials from the Rail Procurement Agency are due before the Oireachtas transport committee later this week to explain the number of accidents involving LUAS trams in Dublin.
Ireland on Line - November 1, 2004

Greens welcome Govt Luas 'U-turn'
The Green Party is welcoming what it calls the Government's U-turn on whether it would connect the two Luas lines in Dublin.
Ireland on Line - October 31, 2004

U-turn on the Luas as lines get connected
The government is planning to join Dublin’s two Luas lines by running a new track from St Stephen’s Green to O’Connell Street.
Sunday Times - October 31, 2004

Hold-ups on Luas route after city centre collision
A car collided with a tram on the newest Luas route yesterday in Dublin city centre just a day after formal operations began on the line.
Irish Independent - September 30, 2004

Shaky start for new Luas line after test run crash
The Luas got off to a shaky start before it was even opened officially yesterday by the Taoiseach - Mr Ahern got off the first tram before it even reached the notorious Red Cow Roundabout.
Irish Independent - September 29, 2004

Who's getting off at the next stop? . . . Bertie gets close to Luasers
Children waved flags, local dignitaries jockeyed for position next to the Taoiseach, while tram spotters went weak at the knees, as the Red Line was finally given the green light early yesterday.
Irish Independent - September 29, 2004

More power for transport authority
The euro 40m-a-year Dublin Transportation Office is to be beefed up, despite calls by the Lord Mayor of Dublin for its closure.
Irish Independent - September 29, 2004

Greens urge Gov to link Luas lines
The Green Party has welcomed the launch today of the Luas Red line from Connolly Station to Tallaght but has vowed to continue its ‘Join the Dots’ campaign to ensure the Government link the two light rail lines.
Politics.ie - September 28, 2004

Civil Defence drafted in over safety fear for second Luas
The Civil Defence has been drafted in to man Luas stops after "nervous" tram drivers raised safety fears over the Tallaght line which is due to be opened by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today.
Irish Independent - September 28, 2004

On the Luas in Dublin
Dublin has a brand new tourist attraction - the Luas tram line from St Stephen's Green to Sandyford. The sleek silver Continental-style tramcars are packed with locals and visitors as they accelerate away from the city centre and off to the suburbs.
Belfast Telegraph - September 27, 2004

Luas links Waterford with the capital
The opening of the second Luas line from Tallaght to the city centre on Tuesday next, September 28th, will bring the services and attractions of Dublin closer to the people of Waterford.
Waterford News & Star - September 24, 2004

Passengers shaken in Luas crash
Panic aboard as doors fail to open after trams collide
Irish Independent - September 18, 2004

Passengers injured in Luas crash
An investigation began last night into the worst accident so far on the Luas line, after two trams carrying hundreds of passengers collided head-on at the height of rush-hour
Irish Independent - September 18, 2004

Second Luas line to open at end of month
The second Luas line, which had been due to open in August, will now open at the end of this month, the Railway Procurement Agency has announced.
RTÉ News - September 14, 2004

Luas in collision at Jervis Street junction
A car and a Luas tram collided at the Jervis Street junction in Dublin this morning.
RTÉ News - August 30, 2004

Luas derailed at St Stephen's Green
Luas services have now returned to normal following the earlier derailment of a tram at St Stephen's Green in Dublin.
RTÉ News - August 28, 2004

Woman killed on rail line
A woman was killed on the railway line between Castleknock and Coolmine in Dublin
last night.
Irish Independent - August 7, 2004

Luas a hit as 700,000 buy ticket to ride
Around 700,000 passengers have used the Green Luas line from Sandyford to St Stephen's Green in Dublin since it began a full paying service four weeks ago.
Irish Independent - August 6, 2004

Back on rails: Brennan still pressing for airport metro
The Cabinet is to be asked next month to give the go-ahead to proposals for the Euro 2.4bn first phase of a metro in Dublin. After a delay of almost a year, Transport Minister Seamus Brennan is determined to press ahead with the project and plans to bring proposals to the first Cabinet meeting after the summer break.
Irish Independent - August 3, 2004

Dart upgrade is halfway there, says Brennan
Capacaty on Dart and other Dublin commuter rail services will increase by 30pc by this time next year when the current Euro 176m upgrading of the network is completed, says Transport Minister Seamus Brennan.
Irish Independent - July 29, 2004

Luas trams to run twice as often
LUAS trams are to run twice as often - as commuter demand soars.
Irish Independent - July 20, 2004

Roll on, as sleek Luas more than lives up to expectations
At mid-week the Luas still had the atmosphere of an amusement-park ride. Small excited children and happy parents called out the name of the next station as if the next thrill was coming up and peered out at their fellow-citizens' backyards. By Friday however the passengers getting off at Stillorgan and Balally were wearing the world-weary abstracted look of the commuter to whom the journey there or back is no more than a necessary appendage to work. The Luas was becoming routine.
Sunday Independent - July 11, 2004

Bus and train strikes looming as privatisation row worsens
Bus and train passengers face a series of strikes after the row over plans to privatise some bus services and break up CIE into three companies escalated.
Irish Independent - July 3, 2004

All aboard as Luas demand exceeds target by 500pc
It was standing room only on the Luas yesterday as numbers travelling on the new tram service soared close to 100,000, five times the expected average daily number of passengers.
Irish Independent - July 2, 2004

Winner alright . . . Luas tram beats opposition and gridlock
Trams returned triumphantly to the streets of Dublin for the first time in 50 years yesterday on an historic day of Luas celebration. Thousands of people poured onto the trams which finally opened to the public at 3pm, ending years of controversy over dug-up streets and the cost of the Euro 774m project.
Irish Independent - July 1, 2004

Luas Launched
The Minister for Transport, Séamus Brennan T.D., today (Wednesday, 30th June 2004) officially launched Dublin’s new Luas light rail system and described it as a significant and exciting addition to public transport infrastructure in the city and a key element in a range of initiatives now being delivered to address traffic congestion.
Politics.ie - June 30, 2004

Brennan still determined to build metro in Dublin
Transport Minister Seamus Brennan has revealed that he is still determined to build an underground metro system between Dublin city centre and Dublin airport.
BreakingNews.ie - June 30, 2004

Luas 'start of Dublin renaissance' - SFA
The introduction of Luas will herald the beginning of a renaissance for Dublin's citizens and businesses, the Small Firms Association (SFA) has said.
BreakingNews.ie - June 30, 2004

Dublin welcomes 70mph Luas
Public trams return to the streets of Dublin for the first time in more than 50 years with the opening of the Luas line from Sandyford to St Stephen’s Green.
BreakingNews.ie - June 30, 2004

Where your Luas stop is located
Balally: New complex east of Sandyford Road/Wyckham bypass junction
Irish Independent - June 30, 2004

Accident on new rail track 'is inevitable'
An accident on a Luas line is inevitable, the country's chief rail inspector warned yesterday.
Irish Independent - June 30, 2004

Hold onto your change - the smart ticket's been delayed
A special euro 30m smart card payment system, allowing commuters to use a single ticket to travel on all public transport, won't be operational until the end of next year.
Irish Independent - June 30, 2004

Luas cleared to carry its first paying passengers
The LUAS tram system for Dublin finally starts rolling this afternoon after clearing last-minute safety hurdles.
Irish Independent - June 30, 2004

Long and winding road to get tram system
For Dubliners who lament the closure of the old tram tracks almost 50 years ago, it has been a long and winding road to the opening of the new Luas line.
Irish Independent - June 30, 2004

Luas is right on track even without city colours
Maybe the interior designer is from Wexford. It could why the colour scheme on the Luas trams is the same as the south-east county's livery.
Irish Independent - June 26, 2004

Fare play to commuters as new 'smart card' ticket gets go-ahead
A single ticket to travel on buses, the Luas, DART, suburban rail and eventually on the Metro moved a step closer for passengers yesterday with the launch of the first public transport 'smart card'.
Irish Independent - April 3, 2004

There's no Luas ends at light rail's hi-tech command centre
As the Luas gets ready to run, its hi-tech command centre looks like it would have no trouble tracking the Hubble space telescope.
Irish Independent - March 27, 2004

First Luas arrives . . . 16 minutes late
The Luas, which finally arrived in Dublin's St Stephen's Green 16 minutes "late" yesterday, will be more expensive than taking the bus.
Irish Independent - March 16, 2004

Luas track safety fears after a series of cyclist accidents
New concerns about the safety of the Luas line have emerged after a spate of accidents involving motorcycles and pushbikes on one stretch of the tramline.
Sunday Independent - March 14, 2004

Luas not worth the disruption, says union boss
Licences to operate private bus services are now cheaper than a dog licence and 425 licences have been issued with many later sold on at a substantial profit, a union conference was told yesterday. Delegates at the National Bus and Rail Union conference in Galway also heard that the overdue Luas service will increase traffic disruption and congestion in Dublin.
Irish Independent - March 13, 2004

Overcrowded commuter trains 'are accidents waiting to happen'
People will die if a grossly overcrowded commuter train has to stop suddenly or waiting passengers are accidentally pushed onto the line from narrow platforms, it was claimed yesterday.
Irish Independent - March 3, 2004

Trains won't stand for these seats
Iarnrod Eireann has banned the use of portable three-legged stools on crowded trains. Passengers started using the fold-up stools to avoid having to stand in the aisle. But now they haven't got a leg to stand on. For a worried Iarnrod Eireann has put up posters outlawing them on all its commuter rail services.
Irish Independent - March 2, 2004

Brennan labels Luas an undoubted success
Transport Minister Seamus Brennan has predicted that the Dublin light railway system Luas will be an undoubted success. He was speaking at the during a visit to Dundrum to inspect the first of the "live" safety and engineering tests of Luas trams on the Sandyford-Beechwood (Dunville Avenue) section of the Sandyford to St Stephen's Green line.
Irish Examiner - February 11, 2004

Free travel passes 'must include Luas'
People who have free travel passes must be able to use the Luas free of charge, Fine Gael has said. The party's social and family affairs spokesman, Michael Ring, said the Government must make sure holders of free travel passes are able to use their passes on the light rail system.
Irish Independent - December 13, 2003

'Cut-price' plan for Metro link to airport comes off the rails
The 'cut price' €2.4bn Metro plan foundered last night after Minister for Transport Seamus Brennan threw out the latest proposals.
Irish Independent - December 8, 2003

Bus and rail fares to increase by 4pc
BUS and rail fares are to rise by 4pc across the board, it has been revealed.
Irish Independent - December 1, 2003

Metro plan ruled out as too costly
The Dublin metro project has been ruled out as too expensive in a confidential consultant's report for the Department of Finance, The Sunday Business Post has learned.
Sunday Business Post - October 19, 2003

Brennan: Public-private partnership 'only option' for LUAS
Transport Minister Seamus Brennan has said a public-private partnership (PPP) remains his preferred way of financing Dublin's proposed metro system. Mr Brennan said he hoped the cabinet would allow a private company to build the underground system and lease it to the Government for 25 to 30 years.
BreakingNews.ie - October 17, 2003

Peak capacity on Kildare trains set to double
THE introduction of Iarnród Éireann's 80 new railcars and the 2004 infrastructure works will double peak capacity on Kildare/South West commuter trains by 2,200 to 5,000 people. The increase in carriages and the works due to commence in early 2004 will mean additional services will be added to the timetable.
Kildare Nationalist - October 15, 2003

Metro rail drilling to begin in Dublin next month
Commuters in Dublin face further serious disruption before Christmas as test digging begins for the proposed Metro system.
Irish Examiner - October 12, 2003

Minister 'would have preferred metro to LUAS'
Transport Minister Seamus Brennan has revealed that he would have preferred a city-wide metro system to the current LUAS light-rail network being constructed in Dublin. Mr Brennan was speaking following sharp criticism of the LUAS project from former Taoiseach Garret Fitzgerald.
BreakingNews.ie - September 17, 2003

Running to standstill
The Luas Age: Long overdue. Appearance: An unsightly mess on Dublin's streets. Newsworthiness: Luas contractors AMB JV want another 50 million to complete the project by 2004
Sunday Business Post - September 8, 2003

Metro plan signals end of the line for LUAS
MINISTER for Transport Seamus Brennan is to seek Cabinet approval for his ambitious underground Dublin metro system this month, a move that will signal the death knell for the LUAS transit system even before it begins operations. Under the proposals, the controversial LUAS system could be reduced to a single line within the next seven years and may cease to exist within 20 years.
Irish Examiner - September 1, 2003

CIE Group Annual Report 2002
The CIÉ companies have made real and significant progress in the past year, with strong growth in passenger numbers, according to the company’s Annual Report, which is published today, 25 June 2003.
CIE Group - News Centre: Press Release - June 25, 2003

Dublin metro plans set to cost taxpayer billions
A 4.8 billion airport metro planned for Dublin could face high compensation claims for land unless arbitration awards are reduced, according to the agency responsible for the project.
Sunday Business Post - March 30, 2003

O'Rourke confirms French firm has won contract to operate Luas
The Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, has confirmed that the French firm Connex has been chosen to operate the Luas light-rail system in Dublin.
Irish Times - February 27, 2002

Green Party launches Dublin Metro plans
The Green Party has launched its plans for the proposed new Dublin Metro line which include proposals to extend the line to Swords in north Dublin and to Bray in Co Wicklow.
Irish Times - February 19, 2002

Track fault stops Greystones-Bray DART services
A track fault has led to DART train cancellations between Greystones and Bray this morning.
Irish Times - February 19, 2002

Heuston to have four new platforms
Iarnród Éireann is planning four new platforms for Heuston Station, Dublin, in a EUR117 million programme designed to improve train punctuality and increase services.
Irish Times - February 15, 2002

Coalition accused of delaying Luas extension
The Government has been accused of sitting on a plan to extend the St Stephen's Green-Sandyford Luas line to Cherrywood in south Co Dublin, even though it fully complies with the policy favouring public-private partnerships (PPPs).
Irish Times - January 30, 2002

Firm to run Luas has poor track record
Few things annoy British rail passengers more than late trains. Travelling on dirty trains, however, is one of those few annoyances and Connex, the French company that will run the Luas transport system in Dublin, has had more than its fair share of complaints about poor conditions on its trains operating in London and southern England.
Irish Times - January 26, 2002

Contract to operate Luas likely to go to French firm
A French firm will be chosen next week as preferred bidder to operate the Luas light rail system in Dublin. Connex, which operates transport services throughout Europe and in Australia, is understood to be placed first in a competition for the EUR 127 million contract to operate the system for five years.
Irish Times - January 26, 2002

Mishap-prone firm in bid for LUAS contract
Padraic White, head of the new Railway Procurement Agency (RPA), taking over the procurement of the LUAS light rail and metro projects for Dublin, has slammed the campaign of "misinformation" about the city's long-promised infrastructural projects. He denied the persistent reports last week that the franchise to run Luas has been awarded to the French-owned Connex group.
Sunday Independent - January 20, 2002

Tenders to be invited for first metro line
The Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, yesterday announced the beginning of the tendering process for the first line of the planned new metro for Dublin. She said she hopes the initial route will be built by 2007.
Irish Times - January 17, 2002

Capital's first metro to run in five years - starting with airport link
The Metro rail system for Dublin, part of it underground, will be up and running by 2007 - carrying 200m passengers a year.
Irish Independent - January 17, 2002

Cabinet to consider €2.5bn 'metro' link
CI is considered unlikely to be involved in the management of the initiative. The State transport group has already been ruled out in a competition to operate Luas. The results of that competition are expected soon.
Irish Times - January 14, 2002

Decision this month on which firm will run Luas
The Department of Public Enterprise is to decide by the end of this month which of three competing multinational transport operators will get the franchise to run Dublin's Luas light rail lines.
Irish Times - January 8, 2002

Iarnród Éireann accused of bias in station upgrades
Iarnród Éireann has been accused of operating a biased development policy which gives Dublin preference over all regional rail and station upgrades.
Irish Independent - January 3, 2002

Dubliners get first glance of a Luas tram
After years of planning, confusion and controversy, Dubliners finally got a glimpse of the future of public transport in the capital when the first Luas tram went on display in Merrion Square yesterday.
Irish Times - November 5, 2001

Tram launch 'a sham' after delays - Greens
The Green Party protested yesterday outside Government Buildings as the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the Minister for Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, launched the Luas tram. The party said it was highlighting the Government's cutbacks on vital and promised public transport infrastructure.
Irish Times - November 5, 2001

Curious onlookers catch fleeting glimpse of future
Hundreds of people showed up in Dublin's Merrion Square this afternoon to catch a glimpse of the first Luas tram on the streets of the capital city.
Irish Times - November 4, 2001

Luas on target despite economy troubles
Dublin's Luas lines from Sandyford and Tallaght will not be affected by the slowdown in the economy, the Minister of State, Mr Seamus Brennan, said yesterday.
Irish Times - October 16, 2001

Luas lines on schedule for 2003
Dublin's Luas light rail lines from Tallaght and Sandyford to the city centre are still on schedule for completion in 2003, the Minister for Public Enterprise said yesterday.
Irish Times - August 11, 2001

All aboard, please, for the last No 8 to Dalkey
As a child, actor Eamon Morrissey travelled on the last-ever tram to D n Laoghaire, which may explain why he was one of the few Dubs who made time recently to witness another momentous transport event.
Irish Times - August 4, 2001

Tenders in autumn for 2bn city metro line
Tenders are to be sought in the autumn for the construction of a 2 billion metro line in Dublin, it was announced yesterday.
Irish Times - July 26, 2001

Ballast Nedam constructs light rail in Dublin
Ballast Nedam takes part in an international combination that will construct a light rail project in Dublin. On Wednesday 20 June the contract is accepted by the Irish client Coras Iompar Eireann (CIE) of Dublin
Press release Ballast Nedam - June 21, 2001

Tramspotting
With trams primed to make a comeback in Dublin, Quentin Fottrell looks at one of the country's most successful - but abandoned - transport systems
Irish Times - January 27, 2001

Commuter confidence in service evaporates
Dublin's suburban rail service is suffering from a lack of confidence among commuters. Overcrowding, delays, cancellations, scheduling gaps and breakdowns have combined to undermine confidence in commuter rail travel.
Irish Times - January 8, 2001

New DART carriages unveiled by O'Rourke
The Minister for Public Enterprise Ms O'Rourke today unveiled four new DART carriages which are to go into use immediately. They are the first units to be added to the network since the service started in 1984.
Irish Times - September 21, 2000

4.3bn to be spent on metro system for Dublin
The Government has approved the development of a 4.3 billion metro system for Dublin, one fifth of which will be under ground. The 70km metro is being planned in addition to the proposed Luas light-rail system, which is on schedule for completion by the summer of 2003.
Irish Times - August 1, 2000

Ireland in the 21st Century: 1 - The next decade is make-or-break for Dublin
We will only have one chance to determine the structures of our capital and its hinterland, writes Frank McDonald.
Irish Times - December, 1999

Public transport is the big winner
The Government will be investing money on an unprecedented scale into the public transport system in Dublin with new rail projects, better rolling stock, many more buses, and more QBCs.
Irish Times - November 16, 1999

Heavy rail line link to airport among proposals
A heavy rail link to Dublin airport, west Dublin suburban trains continuing to Connolly station via the Phoenix Park tunnel, and a new loop line rail bridge across the Liffey, are all proposed for further study and consideration in the Strategic Planning Guidelines which warn that the transport system is ``at crisis point''.
Irish Independent - March 25, 1999