No free trams in central Christchurch due to 'operational constraints'

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From reporter Tina Law:

Free tram rides will not be on offer this Easter and school holidays, in a disappointing blow to struggling central city businesses.

The Christchurch City Council was considering paying for free trams as a way to attract people back into Christchurch’s struggling central city.

Council head of facilities, property and planning Bruce Rendall said the free tram rides would not go ahead over the Easter break because of “operational constraints”. The council is in talks with tram operator Christchurch Attractions about ways to bring people back to the city centre.

Christchurch Central City Business Association chairwoman Annabel Turley said she was angry when she heard the proposal was not going ahead.

“Now is the time to support the businesses in the community.”

Turley said moving to the orange setting would give people confidence about coming back into the city, but free trams would have been a really great way to showcase the city.

She urged the council not to put money into free car parking as that would only benefit those already coming into the city for work.