Update: Taoiseach welcomes opening of Luas Cross City
After four years of construction, the new Luas Green line is ready for lift-off in Dublin City Centre.
Operator Transdev expects to welcome an extra 10m passengers a year with the line connecting Stephens Green to Broombridge in Cabra.
The public has been warned to take extra care round the city centre, with the trams returning to some of the busiest streets in Dublin.
Launching the new line this morning the Taoiseach said the new service will make a real difference to life in the city.
"It is going to help people get home that little bit early, maybe that extra 10 or 20 minutes every day," he said.
"More time to spend with the kids, more time to watch TV, maybe little bit more time in bed, all things that I think will improve our lives," he added.
His comment was met with laughter in the crowd.
After more than four years of construction, Luas passengers will finally be able to get on the Cross City line later today.
The route from Stephen's Green to Broombridge will be operational from 2pm.
Luas bosses are anticipating an extra 10m passengers per year as a result of the extension.
Director of Communications with Luas Cross City Grainne Macken is happy to see the project delivered without delay.
"For everybody, there's a real sense of achievement, obviously a sense of relief as well that it is finished, it is on time, it is on schedule," she said.
"We're ready to go for people travelling in and around the city in advance of Christmas so after four and a half years I think it is great to have that achieved within the deadline," she added.
