Construction is ramping up on the state-of-the-art Brisbane Metro depot, that will house the fleet of fully-electric vehicles.
It is a major milestone for the $944 million Metro project and it will create 165 jobs in construction and more than 185 when it's opened.
Brisbane Metro will provide services every three minutes in peak periods, reducing travel times by up to half, busting congestion and improving the greater public transport network.
Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said works on the Rochedale site would include the removal and relocation of a number of buildings.
"Construction is underway and this work will continue throughout 2020," Mr Tudge said.
"The Metro project will revolutionise the way Brisbane people travel by doing away with the need for timetables."
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said a tender was announced for a fleet of fully-electric Metro vehicles and we are now also finalising the depot design to include charging infrastructure for these vehicles.
"The depot will be the base for an initial fleet of 60 new electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, maintenance and staff facilities. There is also capacity for future growth at the School Rd location as the Brisbane Metro system expands," Cr Schrinner said.
"This is a major infrastructure development which is expected to start next year and take two years to build, in time for the delivery of the full Metro vehicle fleet," Cr Schrinner said.
Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta said Brisbane commuters were excited to see the Brisbane Metro up and running soon.
"Brisbane Metro will have four stops in my electorate of Bonner and I have no doubt once completed we will see thousands of commuters embracing this new public transport infrastructure," Mr Vasta said.
"This project is expected to provide significant benefits right across the Brisbane CBD and Brisbane's southern suburbs."
Intersection upgrades at the corner of Peel and Merivale Street and Peel Street and Cordelia Street, in South Brisbane and Skew Street and Upper Roma Street in the CBD have already been completed as part of the Brisbane Metro project.
Council is finalising the procurement process for the design and construction of the Brisbane Metro depot. The Request for Tender is expected to be released in mid 2020 and awarded by mid to late 2020.
The preferred 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.
The initial pilot vehicle will be housed at Volgren's Eagle Farm workshop to allow for trials and testing to start in local operating conditions.
The project will drive jobs and economic growth, with an extra 40 jobs created in Brisbane for fit-out and maintenance of the Metro vehicles when they are delivered.
Flash charging technology at each end of the route will recharge the vehicles in just six minutes, meaning passengers will get home safer and quicker in a Metro vehicle with no tailpipe emissions.
The first Metro vehicle will arrive this year for trials and testing.
Council is delivering the $944 million fully-funded 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.
The Australian Government has committed $300 million to the project.
