Edinburgh shops urge free city tram travel

CITY leaders in Edinburgh have agreed to consider demands from the business sector to run free services on the Edinburgh Trams network in the weeks following its launch.

Ticket prices would be waived to introduce passengers to the route and boost business after years of downturn caused by disruption from the project. Business leaders said the move would provide shoppers with an incentive to return to the city centre after turning to out-of-town retail centres.

Lesley Hinds, the city’s transport leader, said the council is already looking at learning from Dublin, which has free travel for children at certain times.

Michael Apter, of the West End Association, said shops, pubs, and restaurants across the city centre needed a boost.