Sydney’s CBD light rail would be free in a bid to attract visitors to the city under a proposed plan by Business Sydney.

Under the idea, pushed by Business Sydney executive director Paul Nicolaou, travellers can commute across the city’s main CBD corridor from Circular Quay to Central Station free of charge, bringing Sydney into line with cities such as Melbourne and Adelaide.

In Adelaide, free city connector buses link popular city attractions, shopping, dining, education and services. City trams are also free.

In Melbourne all tram travel in the CBD and Docklands is free, with tram drivers making regular announcements when approaching ticketed boundaries. The designated City Circle Tram offers free travel to city sights and attractions.

Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph, Mr Nicolaou said: “Sydney has made progress in its post-pandemic economic recovery but there is still a long way to go and innovative approaches are needed”.

Macarthur resident Annette Michalak was on the tram in the city on Friday, and said she would use public transport more if there was no charge.

“It would make life much easier, I would be getting on all the time, especially with my two kids,” she said.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore also urged the government to consider free light rail through the CBD to increase public transport usage.

But a spokesman for Transport Minister Jo Haylen said that there were no plans to make the route free.