A Volgren bodied CNG-powered MAN SL202 used in Brisbane's bus network.

A Volgren bodied CNG-powered MAN SL202 used in Brisbane's bus network.

Only a small number of Volvo B59s remain in the Brisbane bus fleet.

Only a small number of Volvo B59s remain in the Brisbane bus fleet.

 Brisbane Transports new Volgren Body Scania Gas Bus "625".

Brisbane Transports new Volgren Body Scania Gas Bus "625".

 The South East Busway was finally opened on 30 April 2001.

The South East Busway was finally opened on 30 April 2001.

In Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, construction started on the $520m, five-year South East Transit Project (SETP) in 2000. The South East Busway is a 16.5km project running from Brisbane’s Central Business District (CBD) to Eight Mile Plains. The South East Busway provides commuters with a quicker, better, smarter and cleaner public transport option.

The first section of South East Busway – between the CBD and Woolloongabba – opened in September 2000. The second section – between Woolloongabba and Eight Mile Plains – opened on 30 April 2001.

South East transport project and integrated regional transport plan

The South East Busway is a component of the South East Transit Project and a key part of Queensland Transport’s plan for a fully integrated transport system. The department’s aim was to design a transport system where cars, buses, trains, ferries, pedestrians and cyclists work together in more efficient ways for the benefit of the people and the environment. The South East Busway is used exclusively by buses and emergency vehicles.

"The Inner Northern Busway, the second section of the Northern Busway, was officially opened to traffic in May 2008."

Other areas of Brisbane are also set to benefit from the busway system with planning and construction underway for corridors in the Northern, Eastern, Western and South Western suburbs. The first section of the first stage of the Northern Busway, from Roma Street in the central business district to Gilchrist Avenue at Herston (2.8km), was opened in February 2004. The Inner Northern Busway, the second section of the Northern Busway, was officially opened to traffic in May 2008. The Northern Busway extension from Herston to Windsor was completed in August 2009.

The project is expected to achieve Queensland’s Integrated Regional Transport Plan (IRTP) target of doubling public transport trips from 7% to 14%.

South East Busway

The design for a five busway corridor network linking with the rail network was conceived in 1995. The South East Transit Project involves the construction of the northern section of the Pacific Motorway between Mount Gravatt and Logan City, and a dedicated busway between Brisbane CBD and Eight Mile Plains.

The South East Busway is a two-way roadway running from Brisbane CBD, via Woolloongabba, to Eight Mile Plains. As many as 117 scheduled routes run on the busway, which is used by 2,313 individual bus services on an average weekday.

There are 10 stations along the South East Busway, which includes 2,000m of elevated roadway and 1,630m of tunnel. Over 140 security cameras are linked to CCTV monitors at the Busway’s Operation Centre.

South East Busway Extension

Initial planning for the South East Busway Extension from Eight Mile Plains busway station to Springwood, spanning 4.8km, was undertaken in 2006-07. The extension will provide fast growing Logan city with a more reliable public transport option.

The extension includes two sections, located on the eastern side of the Pacific Motorway. The first section includes construction of a busway station and a 750-space park ‘n’ ride near Underwood Road, Rochedale. The second section involves a new busway from Rochedale to Springwood, a concept design study of which was undertaken in 2009 under the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Programme. The programme aims to deliver the busway extension between 2011-2026 at a cost of $230m

"The South East Busway extension will provide fast growing Logan city with a more reliable public transport option."

The proposed extension project, which will be integrated with the Pacific Motorway Upgrade, is being developed in stages. The first phase of the extension, the Eight Miles Plains to School Road, Rochedale section, will begin in late 2012. Work on the remaining phases will commence as funds become available and will be finalised by late 2012.

Lead contractors

The Council and Queensland Transport commissioned PPK Environment and Infrastructure (acquired by Parsons Brinckerhoff in April 2000) to complete an Impact Assessment Study and Feasibility Study for the busway project. Brisbane Busway and South East Transit Project consists of various contractors carrying out the construction work on the various stages.