Increasing LUAS problems need urgent response – Richmond

Following another morning of delays and overcrowding on the LUAS, Fine Gael Dublin Rathdown Senator, Neale Richmond, has called for an urgent response from the authorities.

“Yet again this morning LUAS green line passengers found themselves wedged into trams and dealing with severe delays as we wait for the much heralded new trams.

“Delays of up to 30 minutes along the green line, farcically reported by LUAS as delays of five to ten minutes, compounded the already existing problems of overcrowding and infrequency of trams.

“Commuters have been left furious and in many cases late for work, late for school or late to drop off children at childcare.

“We have been promised seven new, longer, trams and we have been told that when in service these trams will resolve all the many problems of the very popular LUAS line.

“The area served by the green line is dotted with new housing developments, soon to be occupied, so it is clear that much more than seven new trams will be needed.

“As it stands, the LUAS is becoming a no go area for many at peak times. I have been contacted by many constituents who say they are avoiding the tram as they are pregnant, elderly or struggle with the crush. Reports of people fainting are becoming far too common for this to be excused anymore as simple teething problems.

“The seven trams on order need to be fast tracked. It is clear that increasing LUAS problems need an urgent response. Works on further additional trams, capacity and frequency should start now rather than after the issue has become too big a problem to resolve.”