With a total cost of $944 million, the proposed Brisbane Metro project is expected to enhance public transport facilities and save travel time substantially, according to the business case released by Lord Mayor Graham Quirk.
The Brisbane Metro rapid transit system, which will provide 24-hour public transport on weekends and 20-hour services on weekdays using 60 new bi-articulated metro vehicles, is expected to take some of the pressure off Brisbane’s existing public transport infrastructure.
The business case determined the project had a benefit-cost ratio of 1.91- in other words, delivering an economic benefit of $1.91 for every $1 of expenditure, thereby confirming the viability of the $944 million investment.
With buses carrying two of every three public transport patrons in Brisbane, the existing bus infrastructure is already stretched to capacity in a number of areas and will not be able to cope with the forecasted growth of the city.
Describing the project as a vitally needed investment for the city’s transport network and economic prosperity into the future, Quirk said the Metro service will provide significant benefits for both Brisbane and the wider south east Queensland region.
Brisbane Metro will connect major projects such as the $3 billion Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development, the $1.1 billion Herston Quarter redevelopment and the proposed $2 billion Brisbane Live at Roma Street.
Long term plans include creating a broader Metro network with extensions made to the State Government’s busway network and integrating it with the proposed Cross River Rail project and other existing rail networks.
A new state-of-the-art underground Metro station to be built at the Cultural Centre and Victoria Bridge will be converted into a ‘green bridge’ for Metro and bus services.
From a qualitative perspective, Brisbane Metro will designed to save time for commuters, increasing lifestyle and leisure opportunities.
Construction is expected to be completed end 2022.
