Free Tram Zone in Carlton

[Alan Cooper]

The possibility of extending the free tram zone has reappeared in the Inner City News (November 2025, pp.1-2) after being refloated (again) by the mayor.

As usual, the locals are enthusiastic but the state government is not.  Reasons against it are (1) loss of revenue, (2) more overcrowding and (3) no political upside.  Point (1) is somewhat irrelevant:  the State Govt seems utterly uninterested in public transport revenue (free weekend transport for two months, children free permanently from 1-1-26).  Point (3) seems the main (real?) reason - Carlton is in the state electorate of Melbourne, now securely held by the Greens.  No point handing out sweeteners in a seat you are not going to win.