TRANSPORT Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Ireland’s National Transport Authority (NTA) have awarded a €1.3bn contract to a 65:35 joint venture of Keolis and Amey to operate and maintain the 42km two-line Luas light rail network serving Dublin from September 1. The seven-year deal has on option to extend the contract for another six years.
Keolis and Amey will take over from Transdev, which has been responsible for operating and maintaining the network since 2019. TII says it expects “the vast majority of Luas staff will opt to transfer to KeolisAmey in accordance with the Transfer of Undertakings Regulations Law governing transfer regulations.”
Under the new contract, an enhanced timetable will be introduced in 2027 with additional services at peak times. Keolis and Amey also plan to install remote monitoring equipment on the LRV fleet and infrastructure to detect and prevent faults.
The Luas network carried 55 million passengers in 2025. A 4km northern extension to the Green Line from Broombridge to Finglas is awaiting funding. Lorcan O’Connor, CEO of TII, confirmed that plans are being drawn up to procure new LRVs to replace the existing fleet and increase capacity.
