Despite some early-morning problems with credit card and laser card payments, the first day of normal operation of the Luas went well yesterday.
It is estimated that some 20,000 passengers travelled on the tram yesterday, the first fare-paying day.
Early morning commuters who wanted to purchase tickets with credit cards and laser cards yesterday ran into some difficulty when ticket machines at tram stations refused their cards.
The "technical software glitch" was sorted out within 90 minutes, according to a spokesman for the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA), and only affected a small number of people who wanted to buy weekly or monthly tickets.
"IT staff were able to sort it out quickly and RPA staff on site were able to accommodate these people," he added.
At the moment, trams are running at 10-minute intervals. Once the system is normalised, this will change to five-minute intervals at peak hours and 10-minute or 15-minute intervals at off-peak times.
It will run from 5.30 a.m. to 12.30 a.m. on weekdays. On Saturdays it will start at 6.30 a.m. and run until 12.30 a.m. on Sunday.
On Sundays the service resumes at 7 a.m. and runs until 11.30 p.m. Tickets are available from a vending machine at Luas stops. Tickets can also be bought at 14 selected retailers along the route at a reduced rate.
Luas fares are divided into three zones on the Sandyford line. Fares range from €1.30 for a single fare in zone one, €1.60 for travel in two zones and €2 for travel in three zones.
Anyone who cannot produce a valid ticket on request is liable to pay a €45 standard amount immediately.
Failure to pay will result in prosecution.
"We have customer service officers going up and down the tram asking people to show their tickets. Despite predictions, the vast majority of people behave properly," the spokesman stated.
Some 430,000 people travelled for free on the Luas since the Sandyford to Stephen's Green line opened five days ago. Although numbers were nowhere as high on the first paying day, the RPA reported a "busy" day.
"We were not expecting the volumes we had over the first five days, but we are very pleased with the way yesterday went. It was quiet enough between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m., then it gradually picked up with commuters from 7 a.m. and it was relatively busy from 8.30 a.m. on, with a steady flow throughout the day."
The novelty of the Luas has not worn off yet and curious day-trippers were still among the passengers yesterday, he stated.
Passenger numbers picked up at rush-hour again, with people queuing to purchase tickets at St Stephen's Green stop.
Staff from the RPA will be present at all stations to assist passengers in purchasing tickets this week.