To mark 20 years since its launch, we helped Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) compile a report showcasing the social, economic and environmental benefits that Luas, Dublin’s light rail system, has brought to the city.
On 30 June 2004, the launch of Luas brought trams back to Dublin city for the first time in 45 years. It was an instant success, surpassing the 20 million passenger trips forecast in its opening year.
Now, 20 years later, the light rail transit network (LRT) has facilitated nearly half a billion passenger trips – all with zero emissions at street level.
To mark this milestone, we were commissioned by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) to write a comprehensive yet easy-to-understand report to quantify the many benefits Luas has brought to Dublin and the wider region.
Produced in collaboration with Transport for London Consulting, the Luas Benefits Report 2024 highlights the network’s positive contribution to the city – and its alignment with national priorities including sustainable mobility, compact growth and the transition to a low-carbon economy.
A vital addition to Dublin’s public transport network
Luas (Irish for ‘speed’) comprises two main lines – Green and Red – which serve Dublin and its surrounding suburbs.
Since making its maiden journey along the Green Line from Sandyford to St Stephen’s Green in 2004, the Luas network has expanded significantly. Today, it stretches 42.5 kilometres (26.4 miles) and serves 67 stops in total.
By integrating with other modes of transport – such as buses and heavy rail – Luas helps to ease traffic congestion in the city, reduces emissions and enhances connectivity (including to key employment centres).
While the Luas 2050 report represents our most recent Luas support with TII, our teams have a history of Luas engagements in the past two decades.
We have delivered line extension assessments and feasibility studies (notably for Luas Finglas and Luas Lucan extensions), operations assessments, as well as business case and appraisal support. In each case, we sought to enhance the reach, usability and operational benefits which Luas provides to residents and businesses of the Greater Dublin Area.
Quantifying the benefits
Working with Transport for London Consulting, we collated and analysed the data across key areas such as ridership, environmental, economic and social impacts. We also conducted interviews with over 150 Luas passengers.
Using the information, we created a compelling narrative complemented by headline statistics and infographics to show the positive impact that the Luas network has had in its 20 years of operation, such as:
- In 2023, 1 in 5 public transport trips in Dublin were on Luas.
- Annual ridership has also grown steadily over time, with over 48 million journeys made in 2023.
- Growth in the proportion of Dublin’s population living within Luas catchment increased from 21 per cent to 26 per cent between 2011 and 2022.
- If all Luas journeys in 2022 had been made by car, more than 35,000 extra car journeys per day would have been made on Dublin’s roads, increasing CO2e emissions by more than 1,000 tonnes per month.
Showing how Luas has supported the delivery of thousands of new homes
Rapid population growth in Dublin is placing increased pressure on the city’s transport and housing.
One of the key benefits of the Luas network is its role in supporting the delivery of new housing across Dublin. Stops along the line are prime locations for new housing projects – a crucial step in tackling the housing crisis through transit-orientated development.
In the report, we explore how Tallaght is one example of how Luas has transformed communities. In the past 20 years, the Luas Red Line has connected Tallaght to the heart of Dublin and ignited the area’s regeneration, turning it into a thriving urban hub.
The importance of communicating the benefits of linear infrastructure
With over 10,000 new jobs created along its corridors, half a billion trips made over its lifetime and with zero emissions at street level, Dublin’s Luas LRT system is a modern-day public transport success story – setting a powerful example for other cities to follow.
As part of the Luas 2050 vision, and in line with the Greater Dublin Area Transport Strategy 2022-2042, TII has plans to further expand lines to Finglas, Lucan, Poolbeg and Bray by 2042. These extensions will allow the Luas network to meet rising demand as Dublin’s population is expected to grow by a further 20-25 per cent by 2040.
Reports like the Luas Benefits Report 2024 – and the data within them – are key to raising awareness of the long-term benefits of investment in large-scale linear infrastructure, helping to secure public buy-in for future projects – whether expansions, renewals or maintenance.
To read the full Luas Benefits Report 2024, click here.