This conversation with Frank Allen, former CEO of the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA), explores the Luas light rail project in Dublin and considers what can be learned from it.

The RPA was established in 2001 to deliver the Luas and a separate tender process was established to select the operator. In 2015, The RPA was folded into Transport Infrastructure Ireland which now oversees major road and public transport projects.

Frank has had a wide-ranging career beyond Luas, having first started out at the World Bank and KBC Bank. He served as Chairman of Depaul, Irish Rail and now Translink in Northern Ireland. He also advises on infrastructure finance and operations globally, especially in Europe and Asia.

Matthew Wood joins us for our digest segment.

Credits to RTE Archives for snippets in the intro montage.

FURTHER READING:

• https://aecom.com/projects/20-years-of-luas/
• https://www.irishtimes.com/news/expensive-late-and-unlinked-luas-is-off-track-1.356431
• https://www.irishtimes.com/news/luas-in-profit-and-no-state-subsidy-needed-1.1020109
• Another podcast that may appeal to those interested in light rail systems beyond Luas:https://www.statecraft.pub/p/how-to-salvage-a-transit-project