Melbourne's public transport would operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week under a proposal a Melbourne city councillor hopes the state government will adopt.

Cr Richard Foster has called on Lord Mayor Robert Doyle and transport portfolio chair Cathy Oke to lobby Public Transport Minister Terry Mulder to introduce all-night public transport to the city, arguing it would reduce crime and benefit the economy.

Councillor Richard Foster claims an all-night train service would reduce crime and benefit the economy. Credit:Craig Sillitoe

"We're trying to create a 24-hour international city and it's pretty hard to do that if you're not offering 24-hour public transport as well," Cr Foster said. "It's certainly practical, it's what the public has been calling for for some time, [and] if we seriously want to offer an international city that is safe and vibrant you've got to have an international standard public transport service."

Melbourne's trains and trams run roughly between 4.30am and 1am.