April 1994: A Dublin Transport Initiative report recommends the construction of a Light Rail Transit system linking major

suburban areas to the city centre. July 1997: A Public Inquiry is held as a mandatory requirement of the Transport (Dublin Light Rail) Act, 1996. May 1998: The Irish Government gives the green light to the Light Rail Transit system project. Oct 2000: Construction of the first Luas line starts. December 2000: The tender to find an operator for the Luas system is published. December 2001: Establishment of the Railway Procurement Agency, acting as a stand alone, commercial semi-state organisation. February 2002: The Minister of Public Enterprise announces that Connex Transport Ireland is the preferred bidder for the Luas operator franchise. May 2002: Connex Transport Ireland is selected to operate the Luas system.

 June 2004: The first line (Green Line) opens on June 30th 2004. Sept 2004: The second line (Red Line) opens on September 28th 2004. April 2006: Connex Transport Ireland Ltd changes its name to Veolia Transport Ireland. November 2006: Luas carried its 50 millionth passenger. October 2008: RPA extend the Veolia Transport Ireland contract to operate Luas and its future extensions to September 2014. December 2009: The Red Line is extended by 1.5km with 4 new Stops to The Point. October 2010: The Green line is extended by 11km with 9 new Stops to Brides Glen. March 2011: Creation of Veolia Transdev July 2011: The Red Line is extended by 4.5km with 5 new stops to Saggart.

Luas Red Line

Luas Red Line (Originally Luas Line A) was developed with 82.5 million funding from the European Regional Development Fund under the Economic and Social Infrastructure Operational Programme. The original Luas

Red Line ran from Tallaght to Connolly. Luas Red Line began passenger services on 28th September 2004. Red Line Luas Crossing River Liffey at Heuston Luas Red Line has 28 Stops located at Tallaght, Hospital, Cookstown, Saggart, Fortunestown, Citywest Campus, Cheeverstown (Park + Ride), Fettercairn, Belgard, Kingswood, Red Cow (Park + Ride and Depot), Kylemore, Bluebell, Blackhorse, Drimnagh, Goldenbridge, Suir Road, Rialto, Fatima, James's, Heuston, Museum, Smithfield, Four Courts, Jervis, Abbey Street, Busras, Connolly, George's Dock, Mayor Square - NCI, Spencer Dock and The Point. The total journey time for the Red Line from Tallaght to The Point is estimated at 52 minutes. The total journey time for the Red Line from Saggart to Connolly is estimated at 50 minutes. The Red and Green Luas Lines are not connected. It is a 15 minute (approximately) walk from Abbey Street Luas Stop on the Red Line to St. Stephens Green Stop on the Green Line.