The Luas light rail system planned for Dublin could run "on a 24-hour basis, 365 days a year, if passenger demands so require", a public inquiry into part of the proposed system has been told.
A hearing on the Sandyford-St Stephen's Green line was told yesterday by Mr Michael Sheedy, the Luas project manager, that Luas could have a late-night service similar to the Nitelink operated by Dublin Bus.
Mr Sheedy said the first phase of construction of the system would be the most difficult, as gas, water, electricity and telecommunications would have to be diverted. Large sewers would have to be left in place. Construction work would not last longer than six months in any one street, and overall construction time in any part of the city would be about 18 months.
The Minister for Public Enterprise, Ms O'Rourke, said yesterday that Luas could be run by a private operator. The Minister described as "valuable" a consultants' report discussed by the Government. The report, by Arthur Andersen and Steer Davies Gleave, suggests a private operator and also recommends that the proposed underground rail link from St Stephen's Green to Broadstone, and on to Ballymun and Dublin Airport, should be designed, built and operated by a private concern.
In the meantime, the report says, CIE should press ahead with work on the planned lines linking Tallaght and Sandyford with the city centre, as well as with the connection to Connolly Station.
The consultants say that private sector operators should be invited to bid for the Luas franchise. Such an operator for the first three lines should be selected by spring 2001 to allow for staff recruitment, operational planning and marketing.
