Dublin tram extension project wins innovation prize at
Light Rail Awards 2008

The Light Rail Awards is the first within the industry to
recognise excellence in both operators and industry suppliers
in the UK and Ireland. The prize is based on the success of the
tram extension programme.



Taking advantage of the modular concept of the Citadis tram
design, the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) had decided to
extend the Red Line 30m trams to 40m to overcome the problems
of passenger overcrowding. This major tram modification was
completed by Alstom with the minimum disruption to tram
services.



The first tram extension modules arrived at Red Cow Depot in
Dublin (Ireland) on 10 March 2007, and the last of the extended
trams entered commercial service on 26 May 2008, one month
ahead of schedule. The 40% extra capacity provided by the tram
extension project means that an extra 2000 people per hour are
now able to ride on the line.