Brisbane 2032 Olympics: How Metro scheme could circumvent Airtrain monopoly

After failed attempts to end Brisbane’s Airtrain monopoly, an alternative plan has been hatched to get Olympic crowds to and from the airport.

The Brisbane Metro is part of a new scheme to circumvent the ...

A plan to get commuters to Brisbane Airport via a new Metro service in time for the 2032 Games without breaking the Airtrain deal has been cooked up by council, the state government and airport stakeholders.

Following failed negotiations with Airtrain owner, London-based Universities Superannuation Scheme, plans are under way to build the Metro to the perimeter of the Airtrain exclusion zone at DFO and transfer passengers to the terminals with the existing shuttle service.

It would offer a loophole to the current contract, which prohibits any other form of mass transport servicing the airport until 2036.

The alternative option, explored by the former Labor government, would involve paying the consortium of owners to break free of the contract early – a move which could cost taxpayers at least $300m.

The Courier-Mail understands Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg has been advised to bypass local Airtrain delegates and travel overseas to speak directly to the owners, with the move to build a DFO interchanged designed to put pressure on the consortium to broker a deal.

It's understood Airtrain owners have ignored offers to extend the current contract with a caveat that management and fare pricing would improve.

Mr Mickelberg confirmed he had met with Airtrain delegates and the Brisbane Airport Corporation, but refused to confirm whether the state government was willing to pay its way out of the contract.

“A business case is under way by Brisbane City Council regarding the Metro service,” he said.

“I have met with Airtrain and the Brisbane Airport Corporation and will work with them on ensuring easy access for commuters to the airport precinct.”

The Airtrain has a monopoly on airport services until 2036.

Premier David Crisafulli said last June an LNP government would look at long-term solutions to breaking the contract to delivery legacy infrastructure for the Games.

“A short term pre-election contribution doesn’t deliver the long term structural reform that Queenslanders need to be able to afford to use it,” he said.

But Opposition transport spokesman Bart Mellish said the government’s public plans to have the Metro connected to the airport by 2032 had limited its negotiating power.

“Including it as part of Olympic discussions has really set them up for a poor negotiating starting positions,” he said.

“David Crisafulli committed to negotiating this before the election so he needs to get cracking for this not to be another broken promise.”

Airtrain decline to comment.

Under current Olympic and Paralympic delivery plans, four expansions to the Brisbane Metro service would see 22 new stations built to Carseldine, Capalaba, Springwood and DFO through the Airport link.

A $50m business case, paid for by the federal government will assess the Metro viability to DFO.

A Brisbane Airport spokesman said the airport would work with government to find a transport solution for the 20,000 workers and 80,000 daily travellers.

“We are working with all levels of government to ensure Queenslanders who need to get to the airport can do so as easily as possible,” he said.