Brisbane Metro vehicles to be built overseas

IT MIGHT be called the Brisbane Metro but the reality is the “vehicles” for the $1 billion transport project will likely be built in Europe, with the council going worldwide to find a supplier.

IT MIGHT be called the Brisbane Metro but the reality is the “vehicles” for the $1 billion transport project will likely be built in Europe with the council going worldwide to find a supplier.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk announced on Wednesday that Brisbane City Council would hold a special meeting on Friday to approve the public transport project to go to market.

The approval will include early works, the procurement of 60 metro vehicles and major infrastructure construction, and undergrounding the Cultural Centre Station and Adelaide St to the King George Square bus station.

The proposed Brisbane Metro network.

The buses need to carry 150 passengers, be up to 25m in length and able to operate on the existing busway and have Wi-Fi access and real-time travel updates.

“We’re hoping to have the first trial bus, I’ll start that again, we’re hoping to have the Metro Vehicle here in Brisbane in 2020,” Cr Quirk said.

“We’ll be out to the market across the globe, the reality is these types of vehicles are not

constructed in Brisbane or indeed Australia at this time.

“Europe obviously has been the home of production of these types of vehicles ... They would be one significant area but we will be going worldwide to see what’s available and to get the most competitive outcome for the people of Brisbane.”

He said the council would encourage international companies to partner with local firms where possible, as Acciona and Ghella partnered with BMD on Legacy Way.

Cr Quirk said there was a lot of international interest and the council would hold a forum for the industry on the public transport project and how to express interest.

Before the council buys the full fleet of 60 vehicles, it wants to test the vehicle in Brisbane’s sub-tropical climate and busways to “iron out” any bugs.