In a sign of the continued popularity of Dublin’s Luas network 26 trams are set to grow as part of a major investment programme. The Citadis 402 trams (originally delivered as seven section trams) will become Citadis 502s in the programme with the addition of two sections, adding 30% to their capacity. The first tram – 5021 – was recently unveiled in a special ceremony attended and has also received a special vinyl wrap on the new sections with the slogan “I’ve Grown!”.
There are 26 Citadis 402 trams which were delivered in 2009/10 having been built in France by Alstom as seven section 43.6m vehicles and all of these will receive the extra two sections over the next 14 months to bring them up to 54.7m. This will increase passenger capacity on each tram from 319 to 408 (the majority of which will be standing). They are numbered 5001–5026 and will retain these numbers following the work but will be changing from being classified as Citadis 402 to Citadis 502. In becoming 502s they will be joining the seven previously delivered 54.7m trams which arrived in time for the opening of the Green line extension to Broombridge at the tail end of 2017 (5027–5033). By the end of the project Luas will have 33 Citadis 502s and a further 40 Citadis 401s (which are 40.9m long).
But that’s not where it will end either as the investment programme will also see a further eight all new Citadis 502 trams delivered during 2020, bringing the total Luas fleet to 81 trams.
The increase in capacity is needed as a result of a major rise in passenger numbers moving from 30.5 million in 2013 to 41.8 million in 2018 – and peak services on the Green line have seen a particular increase hence the need for this investment.
Shane Ross, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, said: “I am delighted to see the first of 26 extended Luas trams going into passenger service. The government is committed to improving public transport service as this investment shows. I look forward to the better service Luas will be able to provide to Green Line customers over the coming months as more of the trams are extended.”
Anne Graham, CEO National Transport Authority, added: “The National Transport Authority was happy to work with Transport Infrastructure Ireland to extend 26 of the Luas Green Line trams. Each of these extended trams will be able to carry 30% more customers providing increased capacity and a better service on the Luas Green Line. I look forwards to seeing all these trams being successfully extended and longer trams carrying more passengers over the next 14 months.”
Piers Wood, Managing Director Rolling Stock & Services, Alstom UK and Ireland, commented: “Dublin is leading the way again with these new extended Citadis trams from Alstom, delivering an extra 11.1 metres of space for customers on every tram. Dublin was one of the first cities in the world to order Citadis and the first to receive 55m long trams, offering unrivalled space for passengers on this busy network. These newly extended Alstom trams continue our proud tradition of working to improve passenger journeys in Dublin.”
The first of the new longer trams unveiled at the depot with Shane Ross, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport giving it the thumbs up.
Seamus Egan, MD of Transdev Ireland; Anne Graham, CEO of National Transport Authority; Shane Ross, Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport; Michael Nolan, CEO of Transport Infrastructure Ireland; and Nick Phillips, Alstom UK & Ireland Customer and Operations director at the launch. (Both Photographs courtesy of Luas)