Data shows the free tram zone encourages people to ditch the train and drive to the city, writes Daniel Bowen from the Public Transport Users Association. And that makes traffic worse | OPINION
Thirty years ago, when the idea of free CBD trams was floated, then premier Joan Kirner commented inthat the only people it would benefit were “those who drive their Ferraris and park them under the Rialto”.
Most people coming into the CBD use public transport to get there, and the free tram zone generally does not benefit them because all-day tram travel is included in their daily myki fare. You have to pity the poor tram commuter who, when trying to board to go home, is completely crowded out by free riders, most of whom could easily be walking.
With no CBD tram fares collected, there’s no monetary return for this. Each extra tram deployed to relieve crowding takes funding from the rest of the public transport network.
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