Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Deputy for raising this matter. The Minister for Transport believes that expanding the public transport network and increasing service levels throughout the country will lead to a more balanced service being provided across the entire country, especially into the built-up areas at the edge of Dublin city. It is also significant to point out the growth in passengers on that line for a period during 2023. The number of passengers was 1.734 million. For the same period in 2024 it was 1.828 million, which is growth of 5.4%. That obviously also increases demand on services. On the infrastructure project I say that it is a longer term process and takes time. Design, procurement and construction of the trams will take time. However, because of the increasing patronage on these lines TII has instructed Transdev, the Luas operator, to devise a new Luas timetable to provide for additional service on weekdays and at the weekend. Providing additional services will involve recruiting and training new drivers, maintenance staff and security staff. Given the lead-in time involved in recruitment and training of staff it will be early in 2024 before the new Luas timetable becomes fully operational. That will be appreciated by a number of people. We all know that when there is crowding and a lot of passengers on the platform it takes longer for passengers to get off the line and longer for people to get back on the line. That crowding causes extra delays in its own right, so I hope the new timetable will be a help in that area.

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