Fare go: Brisbane City Council demands state hand over Metro ticket revenue

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has asked the State Government to hand over some of the $800 million in fare revenue the Brisbane Metro is expected to generate in its first decade. It comes as a final $248 million is poured into the project by Council.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has asked the State Government to hand over some of the $800 million in fare revenue the Brisbane Metro is expected to generate in its first decade.

It comes as Cr Schrinner unveiled a final $248 million would be poured into the project as part of Wednesday’s Council Budget, handed down this morning, including preliminary work for a northside charging station to allow future expansion north of the river.

He told journalists at the 2024/25 Budget presentation on Wednesday, June 12, that he was still confident Council and the state could reach a deal on how to share funding needed for Brisbane buses, which was essential before Metro could start.

The first services were due to begin in December but in February it was revealed talks had stalled.

Residents have already waited eight years since the Brisbane Metro concept was first announced and the project’s cost has blown out from $944 million to $1.7 billion.

“Under the requirements for the state government we cannot start operating Brisbane Metro until there is a new contract locked in with the state government,” Cr Schrinner said.

He said Council and the Federal Government had footed the bill for the project, with no input from the state even though it stood to take all fare revenue.

“We’re asking that they put some of that revenue back into the (build cost) of the project,’’ he said.

He declined to specify how much of the estimated future fare revenue Council had asked for.

But he insisted talks had been amicable and he was also hopeful of a funding deal in time for the expected December, 2024 opening of the first Metro services.

Cr Schrinner also told Wednesday’s Council Budget meeting that he was committed to expanding the project, which initially would run on two lines from Eight Mile Plains to Roma St and from the University of Queensland to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

“This Budget confirms we’re taking the next step to deliver turn-and-go Brisbane Metro services to northside residents,’’ he said.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner told Council at today’s Budget meeting that he wants to expand Metro despite a huge cost blowout. Picture: AAP/Claudia Baxter

“We’re starting the planning work for a new state-of-the-art Brisbane Metro charging station and depot on the northside.

“This depot will be pivotal for operating electric Metros and zero-emission buses along the State Government’s Northern Transitway and proposed busway.

“Brisbane’s north is in real need of transport solutions and our advocacy has already prompted the State Government and Opposition to commit to our proposal for a new northside tunnel linking Carseldine to Kedron.’’

He said the Budget also confirmed an election commitment to progress discussions with the state for an Eastern Metro linking Coorparoo to Carindale and on to Capalaba, stopping at several 2032 Games venues en route.

However, Independent Councillor for the Yeronga-based Tennyson ward, Nicole Johnston, said the project cost had already doubled.

Inside one of the two Brisbane Metro tunnels. The Adelaide St tunnel is expected to be finished next year. Picture: Liam Kidston

“(Metro) will be extended to the outer northern suburbs, without a business case,’’ she said.

“Tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars will be spent on this extension over coming years without proper investigation and scoping.

“The Lord Mayor is just eyeballing it and we’ll all have to hope for the best.’’

She accused Council of covering up huge blowouts in a small number of key projects, including Metro, the Moggill Rd upgrade and Kangaroo Point green bridge, by not itemising smaller suburban projects.

“For the first time ever, the Lord Mayor has removed all dollar figures for projects from the Budget papers, cutting and hiding the true state of Council’s finances,’’ she said.

“The Lord Mayor has announced a Budget with no project figures.’’