The current fare system, with time-based ticketing and fare zones, is one of the best available. It's convenient and suits the way Melbourne commuters travel - by changing from one service to another as much as necessary.

There are of course anomolies in the system - for instance, from Camberwell it costs more to travel to Box Hill than to Laverton. But any multi-zone system is going to have quirks like that, so there isn't much point changing things unless there is some serious benefit to be had.

Free public transport, while initially attractive due to removing the need for the costs of a ticketing system (and ticket inspectors) and increasing patronage (with associated environmental benefits), is not a good idea.

• It reinforces the idea which is already widespread in Melbourne that public transport is the poor people's option - only for people who can't afford to run a car. We want it to be seen as the responsible people's option - for people who don't want to contribute to congestion and pollution.
• It will probably not bring the expected significant modal shift away from car usage. Public transport is already significantly cheaper than running a car, but remains with only 11% of the market. Also, among people who are already entitled to free public transport (eg public transport employees), many still use a car. These factors indicate that price is not the only factor influencing people's decisions on travel mode - for example availability (does it run where and when I'm travelling?) and convenience (will it take me half an hour less if I use the car?) are more likely to be considered.
• The loss of fare revenue would require a significant increase in operating subsidy (up to $50 million per year). This money would be better put to use improving the system.