Dubliners, like children with a new toy, again flocked in their many thousands to get a glimpse of the Luas yesterday. By last night, over 430,000 passengers had travelled free on the tram system since it started running on Wednesday, according to the Rail Procurement Agency.
Fares come into operation today on the line between St Stephen's Green and Sandyford.
Despite the changeable weather conditions, the trams were packed from early morning to late on Saturday and again yesterday.
Small delays were experienced throughout the last few days because of the sheer numbers trying to get aboard the first Dublin trams in 50 years.
Staff were present at all stations to assist passengers boarding trams as well as dealing with the questions put to them by commuters.
Queues at both ends of the line were considerable over the weekend, with many families making the most of the free service.
The first arrest on the Luas occurred yesterday afternoon after staff intercepted a man who was described as being intoxicated and misbehaving. The gardaí were called and the man was removed from the tram and taken into custody.
"There was no question of any violence, but we here at the RPA want to applaud the efficiency of both Connex staff and the gardaí who handled the incident superbly. It is a clear signal that Dubliners are being offered a safe mode of public transport," Mr Ger Hannon of the RPA said.
Car parks in Sandyford and Stillorgan were often full to capacity with considerable overspill on to local roads, causing some congestion, particularly at the entrance of the Sandyford Industrial estate.
St Stephen's Green Centre claimed 75,000 customers passed through its doors on Saturday, a 35 per cent increase in its usual weekend trade, and attributed the rise wholly to the impact of the Luas. Mr Dan Boyd, director of the shopping centre, said: "It was like Christmas in July and I believe it is wholly attributable to the Luas. By eleven o'clock the place was teeming."
Trams are due to run from 5.30 a.m. today. They will run until 12.30 a.m. tonight.