Big changes to Glasgow Subway operating times proposed by SPT

New plans proposed for Glasgow’s Subway are expected to extend opening hours.

Councillors on the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport board have been asked to approve the changes at their meeting this week.

For years, passengers have been asking for the network to open later on Sundays and to run later into the night.

The new changes would see the network stay open until later on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

It would come in once the current modernisation programme is complete, with new platform doors and is able to run driverless trains, which is expected to be next year.

SPT chair councillor Stephen Dornan said: “We are all aware that there is a real ask from Subway users for extended Subway operating hours especially on a Sunday and it has long been a commitment of SPT to revise the operating hours once Subway modernisation is fully complete.

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“However, there are still a number of issues we need to consider including future maintenance requirements of the system and future staffing which we need to consider alongside longer operating hours.”

The Subway is currently open from 6.30am to 11.40pm Monday to Saturday and 10am to 6.12pm on a Sunday.

Glasgow Subway. | Glasgow Subway

This will see trains run past midnight on Friday and Saturday nights with a 12.30am closing time.

Big changes on a Sunday will see trains running for an extra nine hours. When the new timetable comes into force, this service will start at 6.30 am and run until 11.30pm.

SPT vice chair Councillor Alan Moir said: “The impact of extended operating hours on daily and essential maintenance as well as engineering activities has been carefully considered as part of the proposal.

“The revised timetable has been developed to ensure that sufficient non-operational windows remain available to undertake planned maintenance, inspections, and engineering works necessary to maintain the safety, reliability, and performance of the Subway system.”

Vice chair Councillor David Wilson added: “While we all fully support the move to the new Subway operating hours, we do also have to consider the impact on our staff and the additional costs of running the service for longer during the week.

“As with all new transport operations, time will be required to build patronage so we will be keeping the revised operating hours under review for the first two years.”