New features of modern bus network heading for Brisbane roads

They’re fully electric and decked out in modern features including in-built USB charging stations and on-board Wi-Fi. Here’s what to expect from Brisbane’s new bus fleet.

The Brisbane City Council has proudly displayed the city’s new hi-tech bus fleet at the opening gates of Ekka, which the vehicles decked out in modern features including in-built USB charging stations and on-board Wi-Fi.

Nearly 60 buses have now been ordered with Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner confirming the “most advanced electric vehicles” for public transport will service passengers from late 2024.

New features of modern bus network heading for Brisbane roads

“These fully-electric, high-capacity vehicles are the first of their kind in Australia and will transform the way we move around Brisbane,” he said.

“The Brisbane Metro will initially service 19 stations, but I am now more confident than ever that we can look towards expanding the Metro network to other areas of our city.”

SCROLL DOWN FOR BUS FEATURES

Mr Schrinner said the fleet will be a far cry from the old diesel buses rattling around the Brisbane streets.

“What you have is a clean, quiet, comfortable ride,” the Lord Mayor said.

“We will be able to log-on to the Wi-Fi for free and charge your phone in each vehicle for free — we really tried to elevate the passenger experience.

“These vehicles will be turning up every few minutes so it’ll be easy to jump on without worrying about a timetable.”

A draft vision for one of the city’s busiest bus thoroughfares, which outlines plans to transform the century-old Adelaide Street transport corridor into a world-class transit boulevard.

The Lord Mayor revealed anxiety about the unstable ground at the construction of the Metro bus tunnel in the CBD following complications on the project last week beneath Adelaide Street.

“It’s a very complex construction project and Adelaide Street is one of the older parts of Brisbane city,” Mr Schrinner said.

“There is a challenge tunnelling under Adelaide Street and we sometimes find unexpected things and unexpected conditions.”

“This is the sort of project we need to make sure that we’re putting buses and metros underground to clear out Adelaide Street because it is so critical in the transport network.”

However council opposition leader Jared Cassidy branded the buses a bad financial decision for ratepayers.

“We know these overseas-made buses cost three times more than a locally made electric articulated bus,” he said.

“The only reason the ratepayers have to fork out hundreds of millions of dollars for these overseas-made buses is because Adrian Schrinner and the LNP wanted them to look like trains.

“With just 60 being purchased for an eye watering $300m, residents know they aren’t getting good value for money.

“This project has blown out from $944m to now over $1.7b.

“Adrian Schrinner should hang his head in shame.”

The fleet will service passengers from late 2024.

FEATURES OF NEW BUS FLEET

* Capacity for 150 passengers and 170 in event mode

* Three large double doors for efficient all-door boarding

* Passenger information displays and visual route information

* In-built USB charging points and on-board Wi-Fi

* Configurable LED lighting and an interior illuminated ceiling

* Panoramic windows throughout