At least 165 workers will be employed as construction ramps up on a state-of-the-art depot to house the first fleet of fully-electric Brisbane Metro vehicles for Australia’s first mass transport system.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said buildings have been removed and early works have started at the Rochedale Metro vehicle depot which is strategically located to provide direct access to the South East Busway.

“This landmark project includes construction of the Rochedale depot which will create 165 jobs in the construction phase and another 185 when it’s up and running,” Cr Schrinner said.

“This project will bring a world-class high frequency mass public transport system to Brisbane and drive jobs and economic growth in our city.

“An extra 185 jobs will be created when the depot opens and there are great flow-on effects for local Brisbane businesses supplying goods and services throughout the construction and operational phase of the depot.

“Early works have been underway at the Rochedale depot site since last year, including removal and relocation of buildings, and this work will continue throughout 2020.

“This is just another milestone for the $944 million turn-up-and-go Brisbane Metro project’s progress.

“Last November, I announced the successful tenderer to build the fleet of fully-electric Metro vehicles and we are soon going to release the tender for the design and construct of the Rochedale depot.

“The depot will be the base for an initial fleet of up to 60 new electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, maintenance and staff facilities.

“The tract of land has been a strategic purchase. It gives us capacity for future growth of the depot to ensure it can be developed further as the Brisbane Metro system expands to other areas of Brisbane, including up to Brisbane Airport.”
As part of the Brisbane Metro project construction program, intersection upgrades along Peel Street in South Brisbane and upper Roma Street in the CBD have already been completed.
The Request for Tender for the depot construction is expected to be released in March 2020 and awarded by mid to late 2020.
The preferred vehicle tenderer involving Brisbane-based suppliers Volgren and world-leading electric-vehicle producer HESS to deliver 60 vehicles for the Brisbane Metro was announced in November.

Cr Schrinner said the initial pilot vehicle will be housed at Volgren’s Eagle Farm workshop and will arrive for trials and testing in local operating conditions this year.

“Brisbane Metro will provide services every three minutes in peak periods, reducing travel times by up to half, alleviating congestion, and improving the greater public transport network,” he said.

Council is delivering the $944 million fully-funded turn-up-and-go Brisbane Metro in partnership with the Australian Government.

Preliminary works for Brisbane Metro will commence around the Cultural Centre in early 2020.

 Stage 1 of Brisbane Metro will provide a 21-kilometre service connecting 18 stations along dedicated busways between Eight Mile Plains and Roma Street, and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and University of Queensland. Stage 2 may see services expanded to Carindale in the South East and to Chermside and the Airport in the North.