Passengers could be commuting by light rail in Dublin by the end of 2002, according to a new report issued today.

The Luas Advisory / Action Group says interim services could be running on the Sandyford to Grand Canal section by then.

The report also pinpoints other start-up dates:

• Tallaght to City Centre: Commuter services by February, 2003
• Sandyford to City Centre: Commuter services by June, 2003
• Northside line to Dublin Airport: Operational by 2005

The watchdog group presented its second progress report on the implementation of the expanded Luas network for Dublin to the Minister for Public Enterprise, Mary O' Rourke TD, today.

And the report calls for the introduction of an indicative timetable for the Northside line to Dublin Airport, with that line operational by 2005.

"To date, there is no timetable for completion of the Stephen's Green to the Airport route. Having taken account of the findings of the LRT on the underground studies, we are now recommending a specific timetable for progressing the Stephen's Green to Broadstone underground section, the onward section to Dublin Airport and to having the entire line completed and operational during the year 2005, " the group state. The group described as disappointing progress on preparatory work for Broadstone to Dublin Airport.

But the report states that there has been excellent progress so far on the Tallaght and Sandyford lines.

"We are satisfied that the way is now clear for the speedy construction of the two light rail arteries into the city from Tallaght and Sandyford. The utility diversion work on the Tallaght line is well underway, and preliminary clearing of the Sandyford line has begun. Services should be available to the public from Tallaght not later than February 2003 and from Sandyford not later than June 2003. "

The report indicates that it should be possible to have interim services running between Sandyford and the Grand Canal area before the end of 2002.

The report also pinpoints improved commuting times with light rail.

"There will be significant journey time improvements for Dublin commuters in both peak and off-peak periods. The projected journey times for peak hour travel is 38 minutes from Tallaght to the City Centre and 22 minutes from Sandyford to the City Centre. These journey time improvements are seen as central to the role that light rail will play in the context of the Dublin Transportation Initiative's (DTI) strategy for the development of an integrated transport network for the Greater Dublin Area."

The group, chaired by Padraic White, was set up to oversee the planning and timely implementation of the LUAS system for Dublin and to advise the Minister for Public Enterprise as to whether the project is on schedule.