Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Transport if plans to extend the green Luas line to Cherrywood are being reviewed to include provision for its eventual conversion to a Metro system; his views on recent criticisms of the Luas system's capacity compared to Metro systems; if there are plans to provide a system of feeder buses for the red and green Luas lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3405/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The extension of the existing Luas Green Line from Sandyford southwards to Cherrywood will be designed to light rail standards but, as with the existing line, appropriate provision will be made for its subsequent upgrade to Metro when required. This is in line with long-standing Government policy.

The Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) are currently carrying out initial preliminary planning for this upgrade, which will be considered for funding in the successor investment programme to Transport 21.

In the meantime, to provide additional capacity, I understand that the RPA has placed orders for 4 additional trams for the existing line and for 8 trams for the extension to Cherrywood. In addition, the Agency is examining options for a further expansion of capacity, such as extending tram length from 40 metres to 53 metres.

There are currently two private bus operators licensed in accordance with the Road Transport Act, 1932 to provide dedicated bus passenger services to the LUAS lines. One operator is authorised to operate services between Sandyford LUAS Line and Bray and the second operator provides services between Sandyford LUAS Line and Cherrywood and also services between the Tallaght LUAS Line and Citywest Business Park. Details of all current licences are available on the Department's website.

The Department has on hand a number of applications from private bus operators that are not dedicated feeder services but include stops at the LUAS lines. The Department has no outstanding proposals from Dublin Bus or Bus Éireann for dedicated feeder services to and from the LUAS lines.