Rolling stock manufacturer Alstom and ATM Group (Azienda Trasporti Milanesi) have announced that they have formed a “strategic joint venture” to bid for the Luas operations and maintenance (O&M) contract in Dublin, Ireland.

Transport Infrastructure Ireland is managing the tender process for the upcoming renewal of the contract to run Dublin’s tram system, which is named Luas, meaning ‘speed’ in the Irish language.

Alstom supplied eight new Citadis trams to the Irish capital’s tram system, starting in 2020.

The Luas trams are 55 metres long, making them 25 metres longer than their predecessors and are Alstom’s longest trams. Alstom also boasts of the environmental and accessibility credentials of its Dublin Luas trams, pointing out that they are up to 98% recyclable and are 100% low-floor.

Luas was launched in 2004, and has become a vital part of Dublin’s public transport system. Luas carries more than forty million passengers each year.

Alstom see the upcoming contract renewal as “a key opportunity to shape the future of light rail in Dublin and Ireland, encompassing operations, maintenance and potential future network expansions.”

The company has worked in Ireland for more than two decades. It built the whole fleet of vehicles that is currently in service with Dublin Luas. It is also currently engaged in producing battery electric trains for use on Dublin’s DART+ network, and two years ago produced a full-size mock-up of a carriage for the new trains. Last year, Dublin celebrated forty years since the introduction of DART trains.

“We are proud to partner with ATM to offer a compelling proposition for the Luas O&M contract. Our shared commitment to reliability, sustainability and innovation is at the core of this joint venture. We look forward to bringing our knowledge and our proven expertise in light rail systems to support the long-term success of Dublin’s Luas network.”

Piers Wood, Managing Director Ireland at Alstom