THE PHOENIX PARK rail tunnel will open for commuter services from next week, connecting Newbridge and Hazelhatch in Kildare with Dublin Connolly and Grand Canal Dock.

The almost 700-metre-long rail tunnel was built in 1877 but until now it has never been used for daily passenger services.

From Monday 21 November, seven new morning trains will come from north-eastern Kildare to the capital with eight going in the opposite direction during evening peak hours.

In the morning, three trains will go from Grand Canal Dock to either Newbridge or Hazelhatch with six trains making that journey in the evening.

These services will serve all stations between Newbridge/Hazelhatch and Parkwest, Drumcondra, Connolly, Tara Street, Pearse and Grand Canal Dock.

Heuston Station is not part of the route but existing services to Heuston will continue from Newbridge/Hazelhatch.

The new route has been introduced following a €13.7 million upgrade of the Phoenix Park tunnel that was funded by the National Transport Authority.

The timetable for the new route is available on Irishrail.ie.