THE transport body which runs Glasgow Subway has said the new trains have increased journey times, The National can reveal.
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), who have run Glasgow Subway since 2006 and is the largest of Scotland’s seven regional transport partnerships, confirmed passenger journeys are taking longer with the new trains.
SPT have said the reasoning behind why the new trains, which are a part of its £288 million modernisation programme, are running longer than their older counterparts is because of the signaling system.
They do, however, expect to reduce journey times once the system has been fully updated.
READ MORE: Glasgow subway ticket machines 'cannot accept' King Charles bank notes
A spokesperson said: “Journey times for the new trains to complete a circle in the network do take slightly longer than the legacy trains.
“This is, in part, due to the new trains running on the legacy signalling system.
“Once we have completed the installation of the new signalling and communications system in the next stage of modernisation, we expect this time to reduce.”
Yesterday, June 12, The National told how the travel group plan to introduce new ticket prices from June 24 after reducing the number of travel zones in the network from 12 to seven.
One commuter who uses a SPT ZoneCard said their transport bill is set to increase by a staggering £152.60 every month because of the changes.
The National can also reveal the transport body has “not kept a formal note of suspensions or reasons for them” until this year.
According to the data obtained there have been 48 suspensions from this year to date with the reasons given as a result of train breakdowns, signalling and power failures, and other operational issues.
There were also a number of passenger incidents which have required assistance from the emergency services which have caused suspensions.
When asked about the specific numbers on delays, cancellations and suspensions for this year and in comparison, to previous years a spokesperson said: “Until this year, we have not kept a formal note of suspensions or reasons for them.”
SPT have been rolling out a new fleet of subway trains in a bid to modernise the 128-year-old subway system.
A fleet of 17 modern electric trains will replace the 12 existing ones, which have been on the route for more than 40 years and have been phased in over the last several months.
READ MORE: Anger at ‘draconian’ SPT ZoneCard hikes pricing out commuters
There have been teething issues with the integration of the new trains.
The temporary update to signage which changed from showing the train frequency as opposed to the next train information was introduced while SPT made updates to timetable information in the system.
Signage has since returned to say, “next train due”, but the limited information shown on the internal train screens is still an ongoing issue.
However, SPT have confirmed they plan on updating the internal train screens as they “move through the next stages of modernisation”.
Plans include visual and audio information which will tell passengers which train side to alight, automated announcements for the next station, and other relevant passenger information.
From the introduction of the new trains in December 2023, SPT have had 11 formal complaints from passengers specifically mentioning them.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here