Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has given the industry an insight into what the new Brisbane Metro depot will look like while also welcoming new drivers.
As part of the new Brisbane Metro project, a fleet of 60 electric high-capacity trackless trams will run on dedicated busways.
Courtesy of vehicle manufacturer HESS, infrastructure company Hitachi Energy and bodybuilder Volgren, the new vehicles are set to arrive in late 2024.
Brisbane City Council has already placed an order for the 59 metros following the successful trial of the pilot vehicle.
Now, the suburb of Rochedale will host one of Australia’s most advanced public transport depots.
More than 10 hectares big, the fleet will generate 170 new jobs through construction and more after completion to house the vehicles that can carry up to 150 passengers.
Schrinner says the site will have 60 chargers and more than 2300 solar panels installed to prepare for the arrival of the electric Brisbane Metro vehicles.
With 500 tonnes of structural steel used and more than 25kms of in-ground communications and electrical services included, the turn-up-and-go Brisbane Metro will be a unique point of difference for the city’s transport industry.
“The system will revolutionise the way we travel across Brisbane as our city continues to grow,” Schrinner says.
Alongside this reveal, Schrinner has also welcomed Brisbane’s newest bus drivers.
Brisbane is expecting to have signed up 500 new drivers by the end of the year as it looks to continue keeping Brisbane moving.