Premier of Victoria Denis Napthine has recently announced reforms to Melbourne’s public transport system announcing that Tram travel in Melbourne’s CBD and Docklands will be free and Zone 1 fares will apply across the entire metropolitan network.
“For a full-fare commuter who currently buys a Zone 1 + 2 daily fare there will be a saving in the order of approximately $5.00 a day,” Dr Napthine said. “A commuter who pays for a Zone 1 + 2 ticket each day will save around $1,200 each year, or, if using an annual myki pass, will save more than $750.”

Along with the proposed changed Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder has announced that visitors to Melbourne including regional and rural Victorians will also be able to take advantage of the fee free tram travel.
“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’.” Mr Mulder said “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.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional and Rural Development Peter Ryan commented that 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.”
Dr Napthine explained that the changes will come into effect from the 1 January 2015 and will cost around $100 million per annum and will be accounted for in the upcoming State Budget.