Dublin MetroLink consortium forms to bid for automated metro

The Dublin MetroLink consortium, led by Plenary Group, has come together to bid for Dublin’s future automated metro system under the MetroLink project. As reported by industry outlet Railway Supply, the partners are preparing a tender that covers the design, construction, delivery and operation of a high-capacity line for the Irish capital.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Dublin MetroLink consortium structure and roles

Within the Dublin MetroLink consortium, Plenary Group takes on the role of equity investor and financial sponsor while coordinating the overall bid. Webuild is tasked with designing and delivering the civil and structural works that will underpin the Dublin automated metro network. Hitachi Rail will provide the rolling stock, implement advanced signalling systems and oversee full systems integration so that trains, signalling and infrastructure operate as a single system.

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Keolis, which has extensive experience in running urban transport systems, will be responsible for preparing and providing operations and maintenance services for MetroLink. Commenting on the bid, Matthew Biviano, Executive Director – Ireland at Plenary, said that bringing together this “world-class consortium” to bid for the MetroLink project shows how transformational the line will be for Ireland and Dublin, adding that the partners see the scheme as “building a legacy, not just a rail line.”

Tender for the Dublin automated metro network

The creation of the consortium follows Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) launching the tendering process for the delivery partner of the Dublin automated metro network on November 12, 2025, as detailed on the official MetroLink project website. According to TII, bidders must submit their offers by January 23, 2026, and the delivery partner contract is scheduled to be awarded in April 2026, setting the key milestones for the MetroLink Dublin tender.

The Plenary-led team is not the only group aiming to become delivery partner for this new fully automated metro system in Dublin. Another consortium has also been created, bringing together FCC, Meridiam, John Laing, RATP Dev and Alstom. As reported by Railway Pro, this rival group is working through the pre-qualification stage and preparing its bid for the same project, underlining the strategic importance of the Dublin automated metro network for international rail and infrastructure players.

Route and scope of the future metro system

Current plans envisage a metro network that links Sword, located 16.5 km north of Dublin city centre, with Charlemont, 5 km to the south, creating a north–south route that passes through Dublin Airport. The alignment will be almost 19 km long and mostly underground, reflecting the requirements of a high-capacity future metro system in a dense urban environment.

Overall, the MetroLink project provides for 16 stations along this corridor, including a dedicated station at Dublin Airport. Taken together, the planned route, the role of the delivery partner selected through the current tender and the composition of the Dublin MetroLink consortium show how the project is intended to reshape urban mobility in and around Dublin.

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