Vol. 563 No. 4
516 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether there is a social and economic need to extend the Luas beyond the Square in Tallaght, where thousands of commuters and potential users live, in view of the crises in transport infrastructure, particularly in the Dublin area. [7816/03]
The construction of the first two Luas lines from Tallaght to Connolly Station – lines A-C – and from Sandyford to St. Stephen's Green – line B – is at an advanced stage. I understand from the Railway Procurement Agency, RPA, that the expected completion dates for construction are May 2004 for lines A-C and March 2004 for line B. Passenger services will commence approximately three months after these dates following a period of testing, commissioning and safety checking. There are no plans to extend Luas beyond the Tallaght terminus.
However, the provision of bus feeder services to the Luas, including services from west Tallaght and beyond, and the development of interchange facilities between bus services and Luas at strategic points along the Luas corridors is currently under consideration by a group involving the Railway Procurement Agency and the DTO. I wait to hear the outcome of the deliberations in good time before the start of Luas services.
