Published on : Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Visitors to Melbourne including regional and rural Victorians will be able to take advantage of free tram travel in Melbourne’s CBD and Docklands, Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder announced today.
“Visitors to Melbourne will be able to travel for free on trams within the CBD and Docklands without needing to touch on with their Myki card,” Mr Mulder said.
“Many people travel from the country to the city for all sorts of reasons, including to watch the football, cricket or tennis – in fact the Friday night and Saturday night V/Line services to the city are affectionately known as ‘footy trains’.
“Free trams within the CBD and Docklands can take sports fans to the Docklands, or to within an easy walk of the MCG or Nationals Tennis Centre.
“Visitors to Melbourne can also take free trams to the city’s laneways and bars, theatres, museums, restaurants, Casino, Victoria Market, Melbourne Aquarium or Federation Square.
“Those wanting to explore the Docklands’ many attractions, including Melbourne Star Observation Wheel, Waterfront City or concerts at Etihad Stadium, can do so minus the travel costs.”
Mr Mulder said the changes would come into effect from 1 January 2015.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan said the free tram reforms build on the success of the City Circle tram, which is hugely popular for regional and rural visitors.
Mr Ryan said regional and rural families travelling to Melbourne’s CBD for the day, a weekend or during school holidays would benefit from the Coalition Government’s initiative.
“It currently costs $7.16 a day per adult to travel on our tram network,” Mr Ryan said.
“This can add an extra $20 to $30 or more per trip to Melbourne for mum, dad and the kids to use Melbourne’s CBD tram network.
“This money will now go straight back into mum and dad’s pocket for use elsewhere.”
Mr Ryan said the Coalition Government’s initiative came as the Coalition Government continues to deliver more frequent and improved regional train services.
“This bonus comes on top of the massive $4.8 billion Regional Rail Link project, which is reducing travel times from Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat by giving V/Line trains from these destinations their own dedicated rail lines, so that they are not delayed or slowed by city Metro trains,” Mr Ryan said.
“Regional Rail Link will allow for an extra 10 regional train services during each morning and evening peak period.
“It also supports our decision to purchase 43 VLocity railcars which will cater for growing regional patronage and increased service levels when Regional Rail Link is complete.
“Each VLocity carriage can seat 76 passengers, adding more than 3,000 extra seats to the V/Line network.
“This latest move by the Coalition Government is just one more bonus for regional travellers
Tags: Destination News
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