According to the Herald Sun, the Victorian government is planning to include more of Melbourne’s landmark locations within the free tram area. They plan to include important areas such as the Art District, the Convention Center, the Melbourne Museum and the Olympic Park.

At present, Melbourne’s free tram area mainly includes Flinders St, Docklands, Victoria St and Spring St. The important landmarks mentioned above are one or two stops away from the existing free tram area.

In 2009, the Committee for Melbourne proposed a plan for the existing free tram area and it was officially approved in 2015. This time, the Melbourne Commission also proposed the idea of expanding the free tram area.

Martine Letts, chief executive of the Melbourne Council, said that the benefit of expanding the free tram zone is to encourage everyone to take the tram to the main site instead of driving it. This will ease traffic congestion in the city.

“This will result in the integration of Arts Precinct and the Melbourne Museum with the CBD, which will attract more tourists. These areas will also attract greater investment. And the expansion of free trams to connect sports and art venues will enhance Melbourne. Of diversity.”

Last year, the Melbourne Commission conducted a survey of members. Respondents stated that the expansion of the free tram area can promote the development of tourism and enhance the liveability of Melbourne.

In addition, the expansion of the free tram zone will bring about some stimuli to the tourism industry and will also promote economic development.

Letts said: “The National Gallery of Victoria predicts that after being included in the free tram area, the number of tourists will increase by 3%, and 75,000 visitors will be welcomed each year.”