22-05-2025
Expert tells conference what Cork Luas needs to deliver on time and within cost
Steady funding and an alignment of stakeholders are the two reasons why light rail Luas tram systems can be delivered at a quicker pace in other European countries.
As the public consultation process continues on the specific route for a Luas system for Cork, the Construction Industry Federation's Southern Construct event heard a panel discussion on public transport developments in Cork.
Paolo Carbone, Head of Public Transport Capital Programmes, Transport Infrastructure Ireland, who worked on tram systems in other countries, including Italy, Hungary and Austria, said the Dublin Luas was evidence that the economic benefit was far greater than the construction and maintenance costs.
"I was here when the headlines in the papers were about cost overruns, about the delays," he said. "But it has enabled housing, it has enabled sustainable growth. Light rail provides connectivity that allows further development by the public and private sectors."
In relation to Cork, he said it was important now to take time and "plan it right".
Last month, the emerging preferred route for an 18km light rail connection between Ballincollig and Mahon was published. A series of public consultation meetings have been held and submissions from the public are being accepted before a decision is made on the recommended route.
Much focus is on the length of time it will take to deliver the project in Cork and the cost.
Mr Carbone said: "People often ask what is the difference between delivering in Ireland and delivering in other countries and why Madrid can deliver at a fraction of the cost. There are two reasons. The first is alignment among stakeholders. In those countries, during the delivery there is never a stoppage or a delay. The second is steady funding."
He repeated that the Luas system has been a high success pointing to the 54 million passengers carried last year compared to the more than 42 million carried on the Manchester Metrolink, the closest light rail system geographically to Dublin.
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