Free trams should extend into Southbank: Inquiry

By David Schout

Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone (FTZ) could extend into Southbank after a parliamentary inquiry recommended free travel to the Arts Centre, Casino and Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).

The proposal, which would add the “Arts Precinct St Kilda Road” and “Casino/MCEC” tram stops to the FTZ, would see non-fare paying commuters avoid having to disembark on the Yarra River’s north side and walk across into Southbank.

Currently, only the CBD and Docklands are part of the zone which was introduced by the Andrews Government in 2015.

While the minor changes (if endorsed by the state government) would only extend the entire zone just two stops, it would represent a win for tourists, workers and locals.

In a report presented to Parliament on November 26, the Legislative Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee said extending the FTZ would boost tourism.

“These small extensions would benefit Melbourne’s visitor economy and help promote Melbourne as an attractive destination,” committee chair Enver Erdogan said.

“As we look to recover from the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic, every competitive advantage will help draw people from interstate and overseas.”

There was disappointment in some circles, however, that the inquiry’s recommendations did not go far enough.

The committee opted against advising that the FTZ include major destinations such as the MCG (and Sports Precinct), Melbourne Zoo, Melbourne Museum and key institutions like the Alfred and Royal Children’s Hospitals.

A submission from the Department of Transport is likely to have played a significant role in the committee’s final report.

In July, the department concluded that a wholesale extension would not only leave the state government $15 million out of pocket but cause further congestion on trams.

Former head of transport services Jeroen Weimar said at the public hearing that modelling indicated extending the FTZ move would increase patronage by around 13,700 a day.

And he said it could worsen periods of the day that were already “beyond capacity”.

“It would of course potentially lead to a busier tram service,” Mr Weimar said.

“We would generate new patronage. People who are currently either walking or cycling or taking alternative transport modes are now choosing to use a tram and displacing therefore people who are relying upon the normal tram service. I think that we will see an increase in congested and busy travel.”

Perhaps surprisingly, the Public Transport Users’ Association agreed, and said issues with overcrowding, a lack of benefits to paying public transport users, and a disincentive for “active” modes of transport (walking and cycling) meant the zone should be scrapped altogether.

However, others, such as Lord Mayor Sally Capp and the influential Committee for Melbourne, said the zone should be extended to include important precincts beyond the CBD and Docklands.

The zone’s extension was a pre-election pledge in 2018 from Cr Capp, who vowed it would cover the entire municipality if elected.

But the move has seen repeated pushback from the Andrews Government and Capp has since put the issue on the backburner.

Transport Matters MP Rod Barton, who last year passed an upper house motion to consider extending the zone, said the inquiry’s scope was limited and its recommendations did not reflect the views of submitters.

“The inquiry received 405 submissions, with 329 indicating their support for the free tram zone extensions as well as free fares for students and the elderly,” he said.

“Sadly, none of the public hearings heard from interstate or international examples and nor did we hear from a single vulnerable member of our society. This was a missed opportunity that does not reflect Melbourne’s growth and the opportunity to encourage the use of more public transport.”

The government has six months to respond to the recommendations •