Melbourne’s free city tram could soon be scrapped over complaints the service is making people too LAZY
- Calls have been made to scrap Melbourne’s free tram zone in the CBD
- The Bus Association of Victoria told inquiry it’s making commuters lazy
- The government is considering expanding the service beyond central city
Melbourne’s free tram zone could soon be scrapped over complaints the service is making people too lazy.
The free tram service was introduced in 2015 in a bid to ease congestion in the CBD and the government is considering expanding it.
But the Bus Association of Victoria has called for the entire service to be removed, claiming it encourages people to catch the tram when they could easily walk.
Calls have been made to scrap Melbourne’s free tram zone in the central city over claims it’s making people lazy
Melbourne’s free tram zone in the CBD has been running for about five years and the government is now considering expanding it
The association has told a parliamentary inquiry into public transport they want the service scrapped, the Herald Sun reported.
‘That has an impact on the congestion level of trams and also encourages people not to touch on their Myki as standard behaviour,’ Parry Serafim, from BusVic, told the inquiry.
‘Expanding the zone would only exacerbate the problem.’
He said increasing the free tram zone would also impact bus services.
‘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.’
The inquiry is also looking at changing fares for students and Seniors Card holders.
Economy and Infrastructure Committee chair Nazih Elasmar said the zone was introduced to help ease cost of living in the city.
Submissions can be made until January 31.
The Bus Association of Victoria has urged for the entire service to be removed as they believe it encourages people to catch the tram when they could easily walk