A new train station was opened near the Phoenix Park today.
Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey officially opened the station, which will be served by Maynooth line commuter trains and is on the grounds of the old racecourse, close to the Navan Road.
Expansion of the route has been driven by demand from students and staff at the National University of Ireland in Maynooth. An extra four daily services are planned as well as more trains on Sunday evenings.
A total of 88 trains a day will serve the station, linking commuters to Connolly, Tara Street, Pearse and Docklands.
The station, which is also linked to NUI Maynooth, Intel Leixlip and Drumcondra, was funded by the developers of the new €1.5 billion Phoenix Park Racecourse complex, Flynn and O'Flaherty.
Iarnród Éireann claims to be Europe's fastest growing railway operator, with over 30 per cent growth since 2004. It is due to open a new Dart station at Clongriffin later this year.
ParkWest and Clondalkin-Fonthill Stations will also open on the Kildare-Dublin line by the end of 2008.