The Age newspaper has revealed usually secret tram patronage figures after obtaining them under Freedom of Information laws.
Increasing density of housing in the inner suburbs, as well as the CBD itself, has led to a large increase in the number of passengers, with many trams as full on weekends as they are during the week. An increase in the number of public transport users to some destinations may lead to extra demand at Print shops in those areas.
The increase in patronage has led for calls to increase the number of services to alleviate overcrowding on trams as well as to reduce traffic congestion. Daniel Bowen of the Public Transport Users Association said:
“There is a huge opportunity to help cut inner-city traffic congestion by ensuring that at any time the trams are running, people have to wait no more than 10 minutes.”
A spokesperson for the Victorian Government stated that the Transport Department is investing a record amount in the city’s public transport network. She noted thirty new trams especially designed to be wheelchair accessible have been added to the system since 2015.Get a Free Quote for Print