Keolis and Amey joint venture awarded €1.3bn contract to operate and maintain Dublin's Luas light rail network

Type: Partnership · Technology: Transport · Country: Ireland · Value: $1300M · Announced: 2026-03-16

A 65:35 joint venture between Keolis and Amey has been awarded a €1.3 billion contract by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and Ireland’s National Transport Authority (NTA) to operate and maintain Dublin's 42km two-line Luas light rail network. The seven-year agreement, which commences on September 1, includes an option to extend the contract for an additional six years. Under the new contract, an enhanced timetable will be introduced in 2027, featuring additional services during peak times. Keolis and Amey also plan to install remote monitoring equipment on the LRV fleet and infrastructure to detect and prevent faults, aiming to improve operational efficiency and reliability for the network, which carried 55 million passengers in 2025.

Analysis

The €1.3 billion contract awarded to the Keolis and Amey joint venture for Dublin's 42km Luas light rail network represents a substantial long-term operational commitment by Transport Infrastructure Ireland and Ireland’s National Transport Authority. This seven-year agreement, commencing on September 1, includes a valuable option for an additional six-year extension, offering the 65:35 joint venture partners significant revenue visibility through 2039. The commercial logic for TII and NTA centers on securing enhanced operational efficiency and reliability for the network, which served 55 million passengers in 2025. Keolis and Amey plan to introduce remote monitoring equipment across the LRV fleet and infrastructure, a proactive measure designed to detect and prevent faults. This technological upgrade is intended to underpin the enhanced timetable featuring additional peak services, scheduled for introduction in 2027, improving service delivery across Dublin. Ireland's National Transport Authority, an Irish government agency focused on planning and funding public transport, secures a specialized operating partner for a critical urban asset, aligning with its mandate for sustainable transport infrastructure across Ireland. Keolis, as a leading operator of public transportation systems globally, leverages its 65% stake in the joint venture to expand its European tram and rail portfolio, reinforcing its focus on efficient mobility solutions. Amey, a UK-based infrastructure support service provider, gains a 35% share in the operation and maintenance of a major European light rail system, diversifying its transport infrastructure services beyond the UK. This partnership effectively combines Keolis's deep operational expertise in tram systems with Amey's infrastructure support capabilities, providing a comprehensive solution for the 42km Luas network.

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