KeolisAmey announced as new Luas operator as contracts officially signed
KeolisAmey has been announced as the new operator of Dublin's Luas tram service.KeolisAmey will operate the tram service from September 2026, taking over from Transdev who have run the service since it opened in 2004. The new operator will be in place for at least seven years, with the option to extend the contract a further six years.As a result of the change later this year, there will be some additions including an enhanced timetable with additional services at peak times to be introduced in 2027. It is expected that the vast majority of Luas staff choose to remain in their roles as the service transitions from Transdev to KeolisAmey.KeolisAmey currently operate the Docklands Light Railway in London and the Metrolink light rail service in Manchester. The KeolisAmey joint venture is 65:35 between Keolis, an international transport operator and a world leader in shared mobility, and Amey, a leading provider of full life-cycle, engineering, operations and decarbonisation solutions.Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said: “The Luas plays a vital role in the daily life of the city, supporting economic activity, connecting communities and providing a reliable alternative to car travel as we work towards our climate targets. This long-term operations and maintenance contract will ensure the Luas network continues to run safely, efficiently and to the highest standards, while delivering greater capacity and a better overall experience for passengers.“Importantly, this contract also supports the next phase of Luas development, including the planned extension to Finglas, which will bring fast, high‑capacity public transport to even more communities. It provides the stable foundation needed for the continued growth of the Luas network and ensures it remains a cornerstone of Dublin’s transport system for many years to come."Anne Shaw, CEO of National Transport Ireland continued: “This new contract is an important step in the continued development of the Luas as a high-capacity, sustainable and reliable public transport service for Dublin. With the planned future extension to Finglas and the rollout of new trams that will increase capacity, this next phase will help meet growing demand and make it easier for people to choose public transport. We look forward to working with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and KeolisAmey to ensure passengers continue to receive a safe, frequent and high-quality service as Luas continues to develop in the years ahead.”Lorcan O’Connor, CEO at Transport Infrastructure Ireland added: "Luas is the most successful transport infrastructure of our time, carrying 55 million passenger journeys in 2025 alone. I wish to thank all at Transdev Light Rail Dublin and their parent company Transdev Group for their dedication in operating Luas for over 20 years. They have helped shape the reliable, accessible service that is now synonymous with the city, allowing people to travel to where they live, work and socialise sustainably and with ease.“I am very pleased to be able to award this new contract to an experienced team in Keolis Amey as we enter a new and exciting phase for Luas. We are procuring much needed new trams to increase capacity and are prioritising the delivery of Luas extensions. Luas Finglas is ready to progress to the next stage once funding is secured, with further plans in development for Lucan and Poolbeg.”Want to see more of the stories you love from Dublin Live? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Dublin Live as a preferred source, simply click here.
