AUSTRALIA
Double-articulated Hess lighTram24 buses started running on the first phase of Brisbane’s new Metro system on 21 October. The new 24.4-metre buses are initially being used to boost capacity on the city’s busy route 169 between Eight Mile Plains and the University of Queensland campus at UQ Lakes. Buses run up to every five minutes during peak hours, and have a passenger capacity of 150. The route currently carries around 14,000 people per weekday, with the new vehicle increasing capacity taking this to 21,300.
The launch of the new Hess buses on route 169 precedes of the launch of Metro 1 and Metro 2 services, whilst Brisbane City Council has already proposed a business case to determine the feasibility of expanding the Metro further, including to Brisbane airport.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said: “Brisbane Metro is the step-change our growing city needs to get more people on public transport, which will ease congestion on our roads and help keep Brisbane moving. More trips are taken to UQ than any other location outside the CBD and Brisbane Metro will make it easier for people to get to this destination sooner and safer.
“Eight Mile Plains to UQ is one of our city’s busiest bus journeys and our state-of-the-art Brisbane Metro vehicles will give passengers a preview of the future of public transport. Brisbane Metro will deliver the biggest improvement to accessible mass transit in Queensland for decades and we’re excited to welcome passengers on board.”
Brisbane’s Civic Cabinet Chair for Transport Ryan Murphy added: “We know students are some of the biggest users of public transport and UQ is the biggest trip generator outside of the CBD. The 169 preview will collect valuable data and insights from our customers and allow us to improve the customer experience ahead of the full launch of Brisbane’s New Bus Network and services on the M1, from Eight Mile Plains to Roma Street, and M2, from Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital to UQ Lakes Station.
“Brisbane buses currently carry two-thirds of all public transport passengers and I’m confident the high-capacity, high frequency Brisbane Metro buses will encourage even more people to ditch the car, helping to ease congestion and keep our city moving.”
