The Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor’s reveal of the pilot Brisbane Metro vehicle at the Ekka, has had a mixed reaction from the public.
The display was available to view at the Brisbane Showgrounds – allowing commuters to look at the first of 60 vehicles to come.
The vehicles are electric and are touted to transform the way commuters travel around Brisbane, servicing 19 stations initially.
Locals have taken to social media forums to discuss the transport plan.
“The new ‘metro’ … is just a bus with its wheels hidden?” Reddit user.
“Yeah. I was expecting a tram, or at least fixed tracks of some description. It’s just a long bus!” Reddit user.
One user supported the frequency the new routes promise, as well as better accessibility options.
“They aren’t going to be that bad, they just aren’t going to be a tram, which is what most people who have moved up here in the last 6 months from melb (sic) and Sydney seem to be crying out for.” Reddit user.
Almost 60 more Brisbane metro vehicles will be purchased by Brisbane City Council.
“Hope it succeeds and expands, but a lot depends on execution. If they stick to their word on service and reliability then people will treat them like light rail, otherwise it’s just another bus route.” Reddit user.
Council Opposition Leader Jared Cassidy says the fleet will cost $300 million – and residents aren’t getting good value for money.
“We know these overseas-made buses cost three times more than a locally made electric articulated bus.”
“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.” BCC Opposition Leader Jared Cassidy. Watch video here.
The metro services are due to start in late 2024.
