More Brisbane Metro vehicles to be purchased, pilot vehicle visits the Ekka

Almost 60 more Brisbane Metro vehicles will be purchased by Brisbane City Council after the pilot trial vehicle passed more than 1000 tests.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the pilot vehicle was on display at the Ekka this week for commuters to see the vehicle.

“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.”

Schrinner said the Brisbane metro vehicle had been tested on busways, bridges, motorways and up mountains, clocking up kilometres equivalent to travelling more than three return trips between Brisbane and Sydney.

“In this time, the vehicle has undertaken 1157 tests and inspections and exceeded our expectations so we’re placing an order for 59 more vehicles,” he said.

Brisbane City Council’s Metro project aims to reduce congestion and increase public transport speed and access.Credit: Brisbane City Council

“While residents may have spotted the pilot metro while it was out completing its extensive testing, the Ekka brings the chance for visitors to experience firsthand the future of public transport.

“I expect residents will be incredibly impressed with this vehicle and be excited that we will soon have 60 of the world’s most advanced electric vehicles delivering turn-up-and-go transport right here in Brisbane.”

Civic cabinet chair for transport Ryan Murphy said the ordering of the fleet was another step towards services starting in late 2024.

“The rigorous testing regime confirmed that the metros will remain cool in Brisbane’s summer, warm in our winter and able to provide the very high level of reliability that we need on the busway,” he said.

Murphy said they had worked with seven accessibility advocacy groups to deliver the best travel experience for all residents.

“With three large mobility aid bays, 10 priority seats, automated ramp access, next stop announcements and hearing loops across all compartments, the metro goes above and beyond our requirements to deliver the most accessible vehicle we’ve ever put into service,” he said.

Brisbane City Council opposition leader Jared Cassidy said this was a bad financial decision for Brisbane 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 $300 million, residents know they aren’t getting good value for money.

“This project has blown out from $944 million to now over $1.7 billion. Adrian Schrinner should hang his head in shame.”

The pilot metro will continue service and reliability testing after its display at the Ekka.