Adamstown in west Dublin promised to kick a bad habit when its new train station opened yesterday.
After a series of poorly planned, high-density residential developments with inadequate public transport, the new town's station is seen as a step in the right direction. Iarnród Éireann spokesman Barry Kenny said the station "avoids the errors of the past, with the residential development being delivered in tandem with a traffic infrastructure".
The station will run a service of 15 trains a day and is expected to transport about 3,000 commuters an hour between Dublin Heuston and Portlaoise stations.
Some of the first commuters from Adamstown praised the station, but not without pointing out its flaws and making suggestions.
Cilla Turner (32) from neighbouring Lucan said the new service would make no difference to her "because there's no train early enough". Tom Power (34) from Finnstown works in Phoenix Park and used to drive to work. He started cycling because traffic congestion substantially increased the length of his journey.
"I'll definitely catch the train to work, but there needs to be a park-and-ride there pretty soon," he said.
Although a park-and-ride facility for cars was not yet in place, Mr Kenny said it would be completed in the months ahead, along with parks, cafes, a library, bars and playing fields. A bus service from the station will also connect Adamstown to neighbouring suburbs.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will officially open the station next week.