Some of Melbourne's busiest intersections will be reprogrammed to give greater priority to trams, as transport authorities grapple with worsening road congestion and a historical surge in tram patronage.

Passenger numbers on Melbourne's trams have soared 12 per cent in just one year, figures published late last week show, to 203.8 million trips in 2015-16. Patronage numbers have suddenly hit levels the city has not seen since private car travel began to supersede public transport use in the 1950s.

Passenger numbers on Melbourne's trams have soared. Credit:Eddie Jim

Public Transport Victoria has attributed the rise to the introduction of the free tram zone in 2015 and to Melbourne's apartment boom, which is concentrated along inner-city tram corridors.