Vol. 542 No. 2
206 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the progress of the Luas line linking Tallaght to the city centre; when she expects the service to commence; the anticipated duration of the journey; the planned carrying capacity of the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23640/01]
Progress on the Luas line from Tallaght to the city centre is continuing and the line is on target for completion in October 2003. Passenger services will commence shortly afterwards. All of the enabling contracts on the line have been let and some have been completed. The main construction contract, involving track laying and cabling, was signed recently and work has begun.
The construction of the depot at Red Cow was completed in July last and is being fitted out at present. The 26 trams for the Tallaght to city centre line will be maintained and stabled at this depot. The first of these trams will arrive in Dublin before the end of this month. The competition for the selection of the operator of the system is progressing and the preferred candidate is likely to be selected by the end of this year.
The journey time from Tallaght to Connolly Station is scheduled to be 43 minutes. In peak times, trams will operate every five minutes giving a peak time capacity of 5,640 passengers per hour on the line. In off-peak times, trams will operate every ten minutes. The 30 metre trams will have capacity for 235 passengers.
