LUAS firm loses British rail franchise

The company awarded the contract to operate the LUAS system in Dublin has been stripped of a multi-billion pound rail franchise in Britain.

French firm Connex, which operated trains in south-east England, lost the franchise after failing to meet targets for improving its service.

The company's heavy dependence on subsidies from the British taxpayer was also a factor in the Strategic Rail Authority's decision.

Connex is due to operate the LUAS light rail system in Dublin for its first five years.