Changes to the schedule were introduced on August 26, allowing for additional Galway and Waterford Intercity services, and the provision for an hourly Belfast service set to commence this October,
The opening of the new Kishoge Station also led to some schedule adjustments to regular services, including more trains terminating at Connolly Station.
According to Rail Users Ireland, Dublin commuters have been severely impacted by the changes, with delays, changes where trains were direct previously, overcrowding and poor information.
They also highlighted that “commuters are rightly worried delays will get worse in coming weeks” as students return to college and “the dreaded leaf fall season has not yet started”.
“We have not seen such repeated delays or such widespread passenger anger in many years,” said Mark Gleeson, spokesperson Rail Users Ireland.
“A single delay has a domino effect resulting in knock-on delays across multiple services which cannot be recovered.
“More passengers must now change at Connolly resulting in longer journey times made worse by repeated delays and overcrowding.”
Irish Rail issued an apology to customers for any inconvenience they have experienced and assured customers it is working to resolve the issues.
“As with all major timetable changes, we closely monitor its implementation to identify any issues which arise which may impact service performance,” a spokesperson told the Irish Independent.
“We have experienced some issues impacting punctuality performance in the first two weeks of the implementation of the new timetable, notably arising from congestion in the Connolly Station area affecting Commuter routes feeding into Connolly.
“We are analysing these issues to improve punctuality for our customers, examining any minor modifications or platform changes which will assist in addressing these issues.
“Should this require any minor modifications to service times to resolve, we will liaise with the NTA to seek approval for these and advise customers in advance of any changes.
“We apologise to customers for any inconvenience they have experienced and assure customers we are working to resolve these initial issues,” the spokesperson added.
Rail Users Ireland has called for a comprehensive review of the impact of the changes and a more robust timetable which is reflective of passenger origin and destination.
“Irish Rail needs to focus on operational discipline, ensuring trains depart exactly on time, 8am means doors closed and moving at 8am not 30 seconds past. Every second counts, as it is all but impossible to recover time later,” they said.
“A large gap in service impacts morning commuters on the Northern line as a result of trying to make space for the hourly Belfast to Dublin service.
“Until Belfast Grand Central opens in October, additional time should be allowed in bus transfers i.e., depart Belfast earlier to ensure the passengers arrive in good time at Newry to avoid delaying departures for Dublin.
“Irish Rail needs to progress trackwork modifications at Connolly urgently to increase capacity and flexibility.”
