Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 November 2017
207. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the basis on which €100 million has been budgeted for the Luas green line projects; the purpose for which this additional funding is intended; the system that prioritised this project over much needed public transport infrastructure in other parts of the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49809/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Luas Green Line Capacity Enhancement project is identified in the National Transport Authority’s ‘Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035’. The purpose of the project is to address current capacity limits at peak hours on the Luas Green Line and to cater for future demands along the line.
The project follows on from the Luas Cross City Project which will commence services next month. A complementary investment project to lengthen the platforms at the Green Line stations is also nearing completion.
The estimated capital cost of €89 million for the provision of infrastructure for the Green Line Capacity Enhancement project is provided in the existing capital envelope for public transport under the Government's Capital Plan 2016-2021. Annual operation and maintenance costs are estimated as €0.86 million between 2020 and 2022 and €1.87 million after 2022.
The Green Line Capacity Enhancement project will cater for existing and future demands along the Luas Green Line corridor ensuring the optimal use of existing infrastructure in advance of other major public transport investments. Budget 2018 provided for an increase in the multi-annual capital investment for public transport with a four-year capital envelope of €2.7 billion over the period 2018-2021. The increased funding will allow rollout of a number of further key programmes to address congestion and emerging capacity constraints on the public transport system across the Greater Dublin Area.
