On-demand buses: Brisbane Metro funding stoush finally resolved

Brisbane Metro will be running by October under a significant deal struck between the state government and Brisbane City Council to end a public stoush over transport funding.

Brisbane Metro will be running by October under a significant deal struck between the state government and Brisbane City Council to end a public stoush over transport funding.

Premier Steven Miles will provide an extra $75m to Brisbane City Council for its bus network and an ongoing 75:25 funding split.

It ends weeks of public criticism from the council about the state’s lack of investment in buses and ensures services will be ready for the 50c fare trial from August 5.

An extra 160,000 bus services will be delivered across Brisbane each year and an additional 30m seats will be added to the Brisbane Metro.

The funding deal will allow Brisbane Metro vehicles to be deployed on the busy 169 bus route between Eight Mile Plains and UQ St Lucia from October 2024.

Premier Steven Miles said the investment would help services cope when the 50c fare trial arrives.

Premier Steven Miles and the Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner. Pic Annette Dew

“Today’s agreement with Brisbane City Council will make sure we have on-demand bus services ready to roll out from day one to make sure no commuter gets left behind,” he said.

“And, that moving forward we are delivering the high frequency, reliable and accessible public transport services that the people of Brisbane deserve. 

“That’s what matters to Queenslanders, and what matters to me.”

Negotiations over transport funding erupted last month when the council accused the state of chronically under investing in its bus network, declaring it was “on life support”.

Mr Miles dismissed the comments as usual “argy bargy”.

The state government had offered a one-off $50m payment to the council, which had requested $100m over five years.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner praised Mr Miles and said the deal would improve public transport.

“We made a commitment to residents to keep Brisbane moving and that’s precisely what this deal delivers,” he said.

“Brisbane is one of the fastest-growing cities in Australia and one of the most effective ways to reduce congestion is to get more people on our buses. 

“We need to make public transport services more frequent and the introduction of Brisbane Metro along with the additional services this agreement funds ensures that happens.” 

Under the deal, the northside bus network will be reviewed following the introduction of Brisbane Metro and the council and state will meet annually to consider adding capacity into the network.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish said the government aimed to make Brisbane’s public transport network “the best in the world”.