Extra trams must be fast tracked to ease commuter chaos- Richmond

Commuters are being forced to travel up to five stops further out of town in order get the Luas to the city centre, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Senator Neale Richmond has called for additional trams on the Green Line to be fast tracked to ease commuter chaos in the suburbs.

Senator Richmond said: “While the Luas is partly a victim of its own success, the matter is reaching crisis point on the old Green Line with overcrowding and frequency becoming massive problems.

“Commuters using stops such as Glencairn and Leopardstown Valley are now being forced to board the tram and travel out of town for up to four or five stops before being guaranteed a spot on a tram heading into the city centre.

“Commuters travelling into the city centre at peak times are taking a punt if they can even get on a tram.

“A full tram can impact a commuter’s journey by up to 30 minutes as they are forced to wait- leaving them late for work, late for appointments or late to drop their children at crèche.

“Following engagement with Transport Infrastructure Ireland, I am somewhat heartened to learn that seven new 55m trams will come into service between the start of February and mid-April 2018.

“In addition, further improvements to the timetabled services are scheduled to be implemented by May 2018.

“As part of these improvements, additional Luas services will operate to and from Brides Glen during peak hours.

“It is hoped that this, combined with longer trams in service, will increase capacity on the Green Line and provide noticeable improvements for customers in the coming months.

“These measures are welcome but I query if they will be enough? In the meantime what are hard pressed commuters to do?

“I am calling on the Minister to intervene to fast track the roll out of these additional trams and to seek approval to order further additional trams.

“I have also requested that Transport Infrastructure Ireland engage with commuters by holding a public forum as soon as possible to hear first-hand how commuters are being negatively impacted.”

ENDS