Iarnród Éireann has announced a significant expansion of its regional and long-distance commuter services and the reintroduction of connections timed to meet evening ferries at Rosslare Europort.
Following the announcement of record funding for the fifth successive year in Wednesday's Budget, most of the improved services will take effect from this weekend, with a new national timetable operating from December 2009.
One of the biggest expansions will be the increase to eight trains a day, in each direction, between Sligo and Dublin, as well as other improvements on the Rosslare, Limerick, and Cork and Carlow routes.
The Sligo service includes a Monday to Friday "early bird" service departing Sligo at 5.45am, and an early evening 4pm service from Dublin to Sligo.
A new early morning service will also operate from Rosslare to Dublin at 5.35am, which the company says will provide a commuter link from Enniscorthy at 6.23am.
In the evening, the 5.25pm Connolly to Gorey service will be extended to Enniscorthy, connecting with a train to Rosslare.
Connections with ferries from Fishguard will be reinstated with the introduction of a 6.55pm Rosslare to Connolly service (change at Enniscorthy).
In addition the company is introducing a daily commuter service between Millstreet and Cork via Mallow. New services on the Maynooth-Dublin line from next January will include Sunday evening services.
In the southeast, a new Wexford-Waterford local link will go ahead from December 10th, with a daily service from Wexford at 6.48am, and from Waterford at 5.34pm.
This service will also link Wexford with Limerick through connecting services at Waterford.
