Lord mayoral candidate Sally Capp pledges to extend free tram zone to entire municipal boundaries

TRAM trips within the City of Melbourne’s boundaries would all be made free of charge if frontrunner candidate Sally Capp is elected lord mayor.

TRAM trips within the City of Melbourne’s boundaries would all be made free of charge if frontrunner candidate Sally Capp is elected as Lord Mayor.

Ms Capp will today pledge to expand the city’s free tram zone to the entire municipality in a new pitch to voters about the future of Melbourne.

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The move would extend the zone, which covers the heart of the CBD, to inner-city suburbs including Flemington, Port Melbourne, South Yarra, Carlton and North Melbourne.

Ms Capp said the move would reduce barriers to public transport and improve connections around the city.

“Making the entire City of Melbourne a free tram zone will attract more people to businesses and other attractions across the length and breadth of the council’s boundaries,” she said.

“Extending the zone into areas like Flemington and Kensington will be great for those suburbs, ensuring more visitors and patronage to businesses there.”

It is expected the scheme would cost about $9.5 million each year if implanted.

In a pitch to businesses, Ms Capp has also committed to bringing next-generation 5G mobile service to Melbourne before any other Australian city.

Sally Capp is frontrunner in the race for lord mayor. Picture David Geraghty

The new technology would potentially bring internet speeds up to 30 times faster than the NBN and benefit the CBD’s new and existing businesses.

“The major telecommunications companies have indicated they will be seeking Australian locations to introduce 5G in the first half of 2019,” Ms Capp said.

“If elected I will meet with these companies to ensure that Melbourne is at the front of the queue for the rollout in Australia.

“Melbourne is already Australia’s technology hub, with more than half of the country’s top 20 technology companies headquartered here. This initiative will propel us ever further ahead.”

Ms Capp said a 5G network would bring new digital businesses and propel economic growth.

It comes after former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett this week backed the Property Council executive for the job created by the resignation of Robert Doyle.

Pegged as a favourite in the by-election, Ms Capp still faces a difficult battle against 14 other candidates believed to be directing preferences against her.

Although she has briefly held a Liberal Party membership, the businesswoman is running as an independent candidate.