Delivering a fast and efficient Brisbane Metro route to Capalaba will be the subject of a major new study.
Redland City Council, Brisbane City Council and the State Government will all contribute funding towards the Eastern Metro Study.
The Eastern Metro Study will investigate options for extending the existing busway from where it currently ends at Coorparoo through to the Capalaba business district.
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The study will consider the option of using the fully-electric Brisbane Metro fleet, providing Redlands and eastern suburbs residents with an emissions-free travel option to Brisbane CBD.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said delivering an Eastern Metro route was critical for the Redlands and should be a priority ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games given the potential for it to also service the canoe slalom venue at Birkdale.
“Seven sports will rely on the Eastern Metro to transport athletes and spectators during the 2032 Games and without it the Redlands and eastern parts of Brisbane will be hit with gridlock,” Cr Williams said.
“More importantly, beyond the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Eastern Metro is vital to getting locals to work and back home to their families safer and faster, as well as delivering significant benefits for local businesses.
“The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games were won on the back of unprecedented collaboration across three levels of government and this is the ideal project for that unity to continue, which is why we are partnering with Brisbane City Council to help make it a reality.
“In 2009 then Premier Anna Bligh announced an eastern busway would be extended to Capalaba by 2026 and we need a coordinated approach to deliver this long-awaited project for local families.”
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said it had long been recognised that Brisbane’s east needed an additional mass transport option.
“Brisbane is the fastest growing capital city in Australia,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Investigating and investing in fast and efficient public transport solutions is going to be critical to ensuring Brisbane remains the best place in Australia to live, work and relax.
“A quarter of a century ago, a study found a dedicated eastern busway to Capalaba will be required to help tackle vehicle congestion.
“While progress halted in 2011, this study will investigate ways we can complete the busway using our fully-electric Brisbane Metro vehicles.
“While a fully-segregated route is unlikely to be viable, this study will consider ways of realising the vision that was first put forward 25 years ago,” he said.
Cr Schrinner said a direct Metro route through Brisbane’s east to Capalaba would be an incredible asset during the Brisbane2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Brisbane International Shooting Centre, Chandler Indoor Sports Centre and the Anna Meares Velodrome, which will all be Games venues, sit along the route previously proposed by the State Government,” he said.
Brisbane Civic Cabinet Chair for Transport Ryan Murphy said leveraging private sector investment to deliver off-street, state-of-the-art bus stations at key locations along the route will be investigated.
“Coorparoo Square was actually constructed to incorporate an underground bus station in the future,” Cr Murphy said.
“This study will consider opportunities where bus stations can be built as part of similar developments.
“This would be a win/win for Brisbane commuters because it will deliver bus stations where commuters most want them and reduce the public cost of the project.”
