Additional LUAS trams vital in growing area – Richmond

Local Fine Gael Senator for Dublin Rathdown, Neale Richmond, has welcomed the news that the Cabinet has agreed to the extension of green line LUAS trams which service the Dublin Rathdown constituency.

“I have been campaigning for this for over 12 months based on the many representations I have had from locals in Dublin Rathdown who find they cannot get on LUAS trams during rush hour, or if they can get on, they find the trams are too packed to be in any way comfortable.

“Last spring I carried out a detailed survey which found that 10% of LUAS passengers on the green line cannot get on the first tram that comes along and that 60% never get a seat when they do get on a tram. With varying waiting times depending on what stop you are waiting at, this is becoming even more problematic.

“The demands on the green LUAS line are set to grow with the LUAS linking in the city centre as well as the high levels of residential development in Stepaside, Cherrywood and Carrickmines due to be completed in the next 18 months. Added to this is the welcome growth of commercial activity in Sandyford, Dundrum and Carrickmines, making the LUAS ever more popular.

“Bigger trams and longer platforms are vital to meeting the current and future demands on the LUAS but in addition I would say that further investment in our bus and light rail network is needed across Dublin to ensure the city can cope with our record levels of economic growth.”