Iarnród Éireann has announced plans to introduce a new rail commuter service from Nenagh to Limerick after a survey of commuters found that 91 per cent were making the journey by car.
The new service will not be in place until 2007 but Iarnród Éireann has also decided to reschedule the afternoon service from Limerick to Ballybrophy from next January, to allow Nenagh people an extra hour and a half in Limerick.
Details of the new timetable and plans for the commuter service were given yesterday at a meeting with the Nenagh Rail Steering Committee.
The committee has been campaigning for better rail services on the line and a research study has been carried out to assess potential commuter numbers.
The survey of households in the area, which was conducted by telephone, found that commuters were very likely to use the service on a regular basis.
"The survey indicates without any doubt that the need is there for an improved service," said Cllr Virginia O'Dowd, chairwoman of Nenagh Town Council.
"What with rising fuel costs and environmental concerns it's about time that this Government moved away from its policy of motorway madness and invests in public transport," she added.
According to Cllr O'Dowd the number of people currently using the daily Nenagh to Limerick rail service is "hopeless" because of the restricted timetable.
At present a train departs Nenagh for Limerick at 10.40am and leaves Limerick at 3pm.Iarnród Éireann now plans to reschedule the return journey to sometime between 4.30pm and 5pm.
Cllr O'Dowd said one of the most alarming findings from the survey was the fact that 91 per cent of people interviewed travelled in their own car to Limerick, despite the fact that 93 per cent said they would see the train as more environmentally friendly.