Luas numbers rise 8% as operator makes €1m profit

THE Railway Procurement Agency has unveiled a pre-tax operating surplus on infrastructure activities of €1.1 million for 2010, boosted by an 8% annual increase in Luas numbers.

While sustained by extensive capital grants, the Luas is in a small group of European Union urban public transport systems that do not require operating subventions.

The agency puts this success down to the jump in passengers from 25.4m in 2009 to 27.5m in 2010.

This increased usage is due to the strong performance of the Red Line.

More commuters are also now using the Luas to attend events in Croke Park, the Aviva, Grand Canal Theatre and The O2.

Acting agency chairman Tom Wall said: “It will be a challenge to continue to achieve the optimum balance between frequency of service and financial return during difficult economic circumstances, but we are working with our partners and with the businesses near our lines to achieve the best possible result for the taxpayers and the travelling public.”

New lines at the Docklands in December 2009 and Cherrywood in October last year will be followed by the opening of Citywest on Saturday.