THERE are calls to introduce an Oyster-like smartcard in Glasgow as COP26 delegates are set to receive a free travel card not available for local residents.
The London-like card will be given to registered attendees and volunteers at the international climate summit to enable free access around Glasgow on trains, Subway and buses.
The Glasgow summit is expected to welcome thousands of delegates, including world leaders such as American president Joe Biden.
Campaigners have been urging the Scottish Government to introduce a transport smartcard like this to Glaswegians for years.
READ MORE: ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper workers to strike during COP26
Glasgow does have the ZoneCard, which enables unlimited travel on ScotRail, Subway and most bus and ferry services in the Strathclyde region.
But unlike the Oyster card in London, but ZoneCard isn’t comprehensive – leaving out First Glasgow and Stagecoach night bus services – and is not an integrated smart ticketing system.
Each mode of transport in Glasgow has its own version of a smart system, with First Bus and ScotRail each having their own app, and the Subway using its own smartcard.
"Registered attendees and volunteers at the #COP26 climate summit are to have a free travel smartcard enabling access to Glasgow’s buses, trains and Subway system" 🚍🚆🚇 More scrutiny of @ScotGov's failed public transport policy in this week's @PrivateEyeNews pic.twitter.com/nE5p6aaaTV
— Get Glasgow Moving (@GetGlesgaMoving) October 17, 2021
The COP26-exclusive travel card will cover travel in and around Glasgow, as well as Edinburgh during the duration of the conference, which begins on October 31 and ends on November 12.
Campaigners have said if it can be done for delegates during the COP26 conference, it can be done for ordinary people.
Ellie Harrison from campaign group Free Our City, previously said about the COP card: “That’s going to create more division between the people who are allowed in the COP compound and the majority of Glaswegians, who are going to be locked out and massively disrupted by loads of road closures and closures to cycle lanes.”
The group is campaigning for free public transport across Glasgow, with calls to launch a pilot scheme during COP26.
Harrison continued: “Glasgow has one of the lowest levels of car ownership in the whole of Britain, so most people who live here rely on public transport anyway.
“Rolling out free public transport would benefit those people who are largely on lower incomes.”
READ MORE: Stagecoach strike: Workers vote for industrial action which could hit COP26
The story was reported in Private Eye this week, which has stirred up fresh anger from many Glaswegians.
Brian Shannon tweeted: “You know your city is failing when your existing infrastructure and ticketing systems aren't good enough for a climate conference.”
While another said: “Astounded and depressed by this. My son uses subway and train to get to and from college. It costs him a bloody fortune. An integrated ticket is such a no brainer I really can’t understand why we don’t have it.”
The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.
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