How successful are the trams in Dublin and do they break even financially. Are all the lines on public roads?

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pjdscott

Like Edinburgh, the proposed trams for Dublin, Luas, met with widespread objection. People argued that the system could not work in traffic, would take a long time to build and would cost the taxpayer a huge amount of money. The system did take three years to build and, in the street-running sections, caused considerable disruption.

However, Luas has been a massive success and is currently the only transport system in the country which does not require Government subvention, due to huge traffic levels. Thus, the great performance of the Luas saved the government 2.5 million euros. There are two lines - the Green line from St. Stephen's Green to Sandyford Industrial Estate runs mainly on a former railway alignment while the red line, from Connolly Station to Tallaght, has street-running in the city centre.

Both lines carry 60,000 people a day (2005 figures), taking a considerable amount of traffic off the roads. An extension to the Green line was started in May 2007; there are plans for extensions to both lines, and to connect them up (they were supposed to connect in the original plan but this was abandoned due to pressure to build a metro). If you want an idea of the disruption caused by tram construction, please visit the Luas section of my site:
http://www.hidden-dublin.com/images/thumbs/luasTN02.html

You will also find some movies with driver's eye views of the complete lines!

Rachel Maria

The Luas is terrific! If you have to travel from Tallaght to the city centre in Dublin, it could take up to 90 mins by bus. With the Luas, 25 mins max. Only problem is it doesn't cover all areas. Why are you against trams? They are a great idea. Most Dubliners love the Luas. Suas the Luas!

rosie

the luas is very successful in Dublin. as far as i know they made a huge profit last year, which they weren't expecting to when they were building it. all the lines are above ground so yes, they do run alongside and cross over roads. not sure whether it alleviates the traffic or not, you'll always get people that are too good for public transport so i dont think enough people are using it for it to see a difference in traffic. i have used it and found it fast, efficient and cost effective.

cherub

They are very popular and successful. They reached a profit well in advance of the expected time. When they started there were a few accidents until everyone got used to them but all is well now. They run on public roads and across bridges etc. We want more lines built here in Dublin and it is planned. They are fast and smooth and not too dear. Very positive innovation.

trice0905

they are so handy they nearly always come on time! the price is reasonable only problem is it needs to extended

Christine

The Luas (trams) is very successful, so successful in fact they have decided to make them longer and run more frequent. However, they do need to intergrate the bus and tram pass so one ticket will do for the whole journey. They should have built one to the airport, I think Dublin must be one of the few airports on the globe without a rail link.

They do run on public roads, it was a bit of a nightmare when they were being built, but the traffic here is always bad. I left work in the city centre yesterday at 4.10 and got home at 6.00. I live 11 miles from my job!!

There has been a few crashes into the trams, but nothing dramatic, and the crashes are very seldom.

I think Edinburgh should go for it, why not

Booms

Luas is fantastic. Only problem is it gets a bit crowded. Also, lines aren't connected and not enough of them but that is going to change.

Dublin-Girl88

In Dublin the "luas" is working out very well.
i think it has been successful, but the 2 lines that we have dont join up. but because of there success, they are expanding the lines and putting more trams on the existing lines.
i think they are a great idea. Yes, there was a good bit of traffic chaos when they were building the lines on the roads, but now that its all done, it can cut your journey time to the city centre by loads!
you should defenatly agree with them!

Insomniac

The Luas (as its called) was built to take the cars off the road. So far it's taken a car off a day. SMASH!!!

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