SEATTLE — Thousands of people enjoyed free rides yesterday on the first day of service for Seattle's new light-rail line.

After more than four decades of political wrangling and financial struggles that ran transit rail plans for Seattle off the tracks, trains are finally running.

Transit officials estimated more than 30,500 riders had used the 14-mile, $2.3 billion starter light-rail line as of yesterday afternoon.

The agency offered free rides yesterday, and will do so again today.

Sound Transit said riders had to wait in lines for 15 to 30 minutes, but there were no major hitches.

A dozen two-car trains ran at 7 1/2-minute intervals. Two more trains were in reserve, along with seven other rail cars that also could be used.

Passengers were upbeat.

Daniel Gonzalez cheered when a train arrived at a station. "It's about time we had one of these," Gonzalez told The Seattle Times. "It's quiet and efficient — the wave of the future."

Fares on the Seattle lines will range from 75 cents to $4.75, depending on the length of the ride. Children under 6 ride free with a fare-paying passenger.