Brisbane’s stop-start, turn-up-and-go, Metro service officially starts next week, with the high-capacity, high-frequency public bus rapid transit system operating between Herston and St Lucia.
After a one-month “trial” in October, Brisbane City Council said Brisbane Metro services would commence on the M2 route, between the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and the University of Queensland, on Tuesday, January 28.
Council’s website stated the current route 66 would be renamed route M2, with metros running permanently on the high-frequency service, including every five minutes at peak.
It stated alongside launching Brisbane Metro on the M2, Council would deliver new district (school) services and implement eight route changes as part of Brisbane’s New Bus Network.
“To accommodate the longer metro vehicles, routes 425, P426, 430, 431, 435, P443 and 446 will permanently move from CBD busway stations to street level, and route 444 will move back to stop 1A in City Hall / King George Square station.
“Our staged implementation approach prioritises students to ensure they’re connected to schools and universities in time for the new school year.”
Council said it would have staff in the community as the changes took place, and there would be signage at bus stops.
Further changes to the bus network were expected later this year, with Council stating construction of the Adelaide Street bus tunnel would be complete in the third quarter of 2025.
It stated this would provide passengers with a dedicated connection between the Inner North and South East busways for metros and buses, to alleviate bottlenecks in the CBD and free up the network.
Late in 2025 the bus network would be evolved in the north, east and west including a Southern Metro to Springwood, Eastern Metro to Capalaba, Northern Metro to Carseldine and a metro to Brisbane Airport subject to funding and approvals.
