The current operator of the Luas, Transdev, will accept the decision to award the €1.3 billion contract for the running of the service to a different company, having previously taken legal advice on the matter.Transdev Dublin Light Rail was unsuccessful in a bid to retain the operations and maintenance contract despite having 22 years’ experience of running the service.The contract is worth €1.3 billion for the initial term of seven years, with an option to extend for a further six years.A joint venture between French transport company Keolis and British operations firm Amey will run the service from September, it emerged in February. Following confirmation by State bodies Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the National Transport Authority (NTA) of the awarding of the contract to KeolisAmey in March, Transdev told staff that it was taking legal advice as part of a review of the decision.The company has now indicated it will work with State authorities to pass on the running of the service to KeolisAmey.Responding to a query from The Irish Times, Transdev said the company “has made the decision to accept the award of the Luas contract to an alternative operator”.Transdev said it “will work with TII to ensure a smooth transition for the benefit of Luas customers and the client”.In a letter to staff in March, Transdev Dublin’s chief executive Ben Dwars had said Transdev was “continuing to assess the outcome of the tender process in detail”….
53