Iarnród Éireann has announced a number of new train services from next month and early next year as part of its new timetable. Liam Reid reports.
The improvements come ahead of a major increase in train services on major routes towards the end of next year, with an additional 67 new InterCity and 36 new commuter carriages.
From December 12th there will be new commuter services at 5.10p.m. from Connolly Station, Dublin, to Balbriggan, serving Skerries and Balbriggan. This will alleviate an earlier Dundalk commuter service, the busiest train on the network.
A new late train will also operate at 11.20 p.m. from Pearse Station, Dublin, to Drogheda.There will also be an extra service each way between Dublin and Carlow, departing Heuston Station at 7.45 p.m. and departing Carlow at 9.17 p.m.
As part of the changes, trains will run every 15 minutes on the during off-peak hours on the DART line. There will also be time savings of up to 13 minutes on other routes, including from Dublin to Rosslare and Waterford, and the Ennis-Limerick line.
From early next year there will also be new services on InterCity lines, including three extra services on the Galway-Athlone route and an extra train from Galway to Dublin in the mornings. Two extra services each way per day will also operate between Killarney and Cork.
A spokesman for Iarnród Éireann said the new services were coming in advance of major improvements late next year, including services on the hour between Dublin and Cork.
"Further improvements are in the pipeline in 12 months' time, when 67 new InterCity carriages, 36 new commuter carriages and the completion of the DART upgrade will ensure more additional services and higher capacity across many of our routes."