Iarnród Éireann will have to deliver cleaner carriages, reduce queuing times and ensure that trains run on time under an agreement tied to Government funding, the Minister for Transport has said.
Mr Cullen said the train service would have to meet a range of new targets aimed at improving customer service under the deal. He said he hoped to reach similar agreements with Bus Éireann and Dublin Bus.
Speaking at the Iarnród Éireann best station awards today, the minister said a "memorandum of understanding" will link Government funding to performance in the rail network.
Under the agreement, which will be finalised shortly, targets will be set for Iarnród Éireann on financial and service performance. These include targets on service frequency, capacity, punctuality and how many times trains should be cleaned each day, the minister said.
Mr Cullen said "record funding" in the country's rail infrastructure is starting to produce visible results.
"We are making progress. For every cent invested, customer service is improving. €1 billion has been invested in new carriages, platforms, track, signalling and safety in just four years. That level of investment was unimaginable just a decade ago."
The minister said he had consulted and listened to many views on rail as part of the preparations for the Government's 10-year transport investment plan.