BusVic urge government to scrap Melbourne’s CBD free tram zone
Melburnians and tourists have enjoyed free trams in the CBD for nearly half a decade, but one group is pushing for the popular scheme to be scrapped. This is why.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A group representing Victoria’s bus operators has urged the Andrews Government to scrap the free tram zone.
The Bus Association of Victoria has told parliamentary inquiry to remove the current system in an effort to improve Melbourne’s entire public transport system.
The inquiry is currently considering whether to expand the popular scheme and will also consider fare changes for students and Seniors Card holders.
In 2018, Lord Mayor Sally Capp pledged to investigate broadening the zone to cover the City of Melbourne’s entire boundaries as part of her election campaign.
But BusVic’s general manage of network public policy, Parry Serafim, said the program should be removed.
“It is encouraging people to take shorter trips in the city area that they would normally walk,” he said.
“That has an impact on the congestion level of trams and also encourages people not to touch on their Myki as standard behaviour.
“Expanding the zone would only exacerbate the problem,” he said.
Mr Serafim said a larger free tram zone would create major flow-on effects to bus operators and other public transport services.
“The areas that would be included would directly impact bus services that already run in those areas,” he said.
“The impact on running times and overcrowded tram stops is already significant and many people with disabilities are unable to board trams in the CBD because they are so packed.
MORE NEWS
‘SPY TRAM’ KEEPS NETWORK ON TRACK
CALLS FOR FREE RIDE FOR COMMUTERS
Economy and Infrastructure Committee chair Nazih Elasmar said pricing and performance were major issues for the tram network.
“The Free Tram Zone has been in operation for almost five years and was introduced as a budget measure to help ease cost of living expenses,” he said.
“This inquiry is a timely opportunity to consider whether there should be an expansion of the zone based on our experience of it over the past five years,”
The inquiry is currently accepting submissions until January 31.