Luas Red Line services are operating normally.
Green line Luas services were suspended yesterday evening during the rush hour commute causing traffic chaos in Dublin city centre.
Luas tickets are being accepted on Dublin Bus while the service is out.
A statement said: “Luas Engineers have identified that the fault lies within a critical low-voltage safety system known as the 48-volt system. This is not the overhead power system that powers the trams. Instead, it is part of the safety network that links substations to the Central Control Room and allows power to be safely controlled and monitored across the line.
“The Luas operates a fail-safe safety system, meaning that if any part of the network detects an irregularity, it automatically switches to its safest possible state. In this case, the 48-volt safety system is detecting a fault condition and, for safety reasons, will not permit power to be fully restored until that issue is resolved. This system is designed to shut down power to the overhead lines in the event of an emergency to protect passengers, staff and infrastructure.
“As a result, services on the Green Line remain suspended while repair work continues.
“Since early yesterday morning, engineering, operations, management and executive teams have been working around the clock to trace the fault and safely reinstate power. Technicians have inspected 12 substations on the Luas system, identified some faults, and have potentially isolated the issue to the Broombridge–O’Connell Street section of the Green Line. Additional technicians have also been resourced to assist Luas teams.
“There are currently 18 trams on the Luas Green Line. These are all parked at Luas stops, with security deployed to each location. 6 trams will be moved this morning and early afternoon.
“Luas is currently unable to give a definite time for the return of service. We fully appreciate and understand the impact this is having on Luas customers and the travelling public.”
Dervla Brophy, the director of communications with Transdev, told RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland that “everything is being done to resolve the issue”, but it “will take time”.
“We don’t, at this moment, have an idea as to when we’ll be able to restore power to the Green Line,” she said.
“But we do want to reassure customers that we are working our way systematically through the Green Line and the substations.
“We have identified the issues, and we apologise to Luas customers and the public for this service disruption.
“Our tickets are valid on Dublin Bus, and we are doing our best to restore the service as soon as we possibly can,” she added.
The company said Red line services are operating as normal, and that Luas tickets for the Green line are being accepted on Dublin Bus services.
More to follow…
