Ah. So really, just Hillhead at the moment then. I have noticed the new signs in Kelvinbridge, I hope that's not the full extent of the modernisation of that station.Yes, just Hillhead so far. No idea if they're planning on doing the full 15 one at a time, or if they're using Hillhead to Get Things Right before going pelt at the rest. I'll be honest, I like what I've seen so far of the modernisation.

Kelvinbridge was tidied to give their new corporate image an airing, but they've suggested on Twitter that it'll get a proper once over later.

I guess I was hoping pace would pick up on transport in time for the Commonwealth Games. I mean, look at London with it's massive transport projects recently with extending their network for the Olympics.
Worth stating that work has started on Dalmarnock station. Parts of the station structure have been repainted, and there's scaffold on the outside that I assume is related to the new station building. It's not much, but it's something. I think a lot of the rest of the infrastructure will be new road signage, bus priority lanes, etc.

I would hope that LRT is definitely considered as a serious solution of expanding the rapid transit capability of the Subway without having to do too much construction. Cathcart Circle with an LRT type frequency would change the way I traveled around the city (there is no regular east-west bus service in the South Side), as would an LRT Argyle Line.
The Argyle line runs quite some distance both south-east and north-west. It really needs the speed of heavy rail trains to keep time to the more distant stations. Of course, if you're implying just sharing part of the infrastructure, then sure. I think it'd be great to see more services running through those tunnels.

But, these things take time I guess. Glasgow isn't London..
You're right. London has considerably more residents, a considerably more populous catchment area, and considerably more through traffic. Glasgow City Council may lack vision, but the central belt still does pretty well: recent focus has been on the M74, the GARL (aborted, of course), the EGIP, and the Borders link from Waverley.

I use Hillhead/Kelvinbridge and Bridge Street daily, so I've been seeing the sorts of progress being made there. They are currently ripping out one of the escalators. Must be one of the new 'smart' ones going back in.

The current Argyle Line timetable indicates that Dalmarnock Station will be closed for a few months from June for the work to be completed.

Money has now been found to complete the Bridge To Nowhere. And this time... they mean it. Maybe.


http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/city-s-bridge-to-nowhere-going-somewhere-at-last-1.1145889

City’s ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ going somewhere at last
By Typewriter Monkey #656
31 Jan 2012

THE infamous ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ over the M8 is finally going somewhere.

The spiral-shaped footbridge was planned as a pedestrian link between Anderston and the city centre.

It was meant to connect to the Anderston Centre shopping and office complex but the second phase of the site was never built.

As a result work on the bridge stopped around half a century ago leaving it ending 40ft above what is now the car park for the Marriott hotel.

But money has now been found to finish the bridge and create a new pedestrian and cycle route.

The bridge will link into a dedicated cycle lane on Waterloo Street, which will also be built this year.

That will result in a cycle route starting at Kelvingrove Park which will eventually run across the city to link up with Central Station.

The £1.7 million scheme is part of a national project from Sustrans, a charity which is creating new cycle and wmore than 75 UK communities.

Work is expected to start this spring.

As well as completing the bridge, the existing bridge will be refurbished and a new ramp created at the Argyle Street end, which will allow access for people in wheel- chairs.

Anderston/City councillor Philip Braat has welcomed the decision to complete the bridge.

He said: “The main reason for wanting to see the bridge completed is for safety and because it will provide a badly needed route to the city centre.

“Since the M8 was put through Anderston in the 1960s there has been a link missing between the area and the centre of the city.

“Anderston has become more and more isolated from the city centre and the completion of the ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ will bring the two communities together again.

“I want to see the ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ become a Bridge to Somewhere.”

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said the ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ project was being funded by Sustrans and the Landfill Communities Fund.

At this stage, the procurement process has not concluded and no award has been made, so the final costs have not yet been thrashed out.

I'd demolish it, and every other concrete pedestrian bridge in the city. Have people crossing the road at street level, it works perfectly well everywhere else!
Money saved should go into a central pot that would bury the M8!!

Good bit of news Glasgow 2097! Cheers :)

I'd demolish it, and every other concrete pedestrian bridge in the city. Have people crossing the road at street level, it works perfectly well everywhere else!
Money saved should go into a central pot that would bury the M8!!

So you want folk to walk across the M8 then? What is it with you and demolishing everything, they did that in the 60's and look what happened!

Money has now been found to complete the Bridge To Nowhere. And this time... they mean it. Maybe.
That'll be this: http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/connect2/schemes/scotland/glasgow-completing-the-bridge-to-nowhere

Good bit of news Glasgow 2097! Cheers :)



So you want folk to walk across the M8 then? What is it with you and demolishing everything, they did that in the 60's and look what happened!

You're clearly confusing me with someone else as there is very little I have mentioned demolishing, aside from the usual 60s dross.

As for the flyovers, they're awful and there is no need for them. Get rid of this one, get rid of the one up at St Georges Mansions as well. The M8 should be buried, however assuming that never happens, there are plenty of points that can be used to cross both up towards Charing Cross, and down towards the Broomielaw. Here in Paris, with the peripherique cutting around the city they seem to manage just fine without them, so why can't Glasgow??

Whoops! Yeah sorry got you confused with another... My apologies :(

Boston tried this with their Big Dig, alright they now have a great public space running through their city, but the cost was astronomical. I don't mind the "Canyon" section of the M8, I hate the elevated bit at Cowcaddens though, I wouldn't oppose burrying that...

The flyovers are really unsightly, but very useful at the same time. If they could be spruced up a bit, they would look a lot better. :)

Again Sorry Gommsta...

Lol, no worries, I know who you mean though ;)

Ideally I'd reroute the M8.
If rerouting were not an option then i'd want it buried from exactly where you say, Cowcaddens, but continuing buried until abeam Kinning Park. (J16-J22).
This would repair the urban fabric around Cowcaddens, Charing Cross, Broomielaw and Tradeston, and bring those communities back into the city. Get rid of the Kingston bridge. It would also give beautiful buildings like the Mitchell, the Coop etc a suitable setting.

I realise there are other tunnels beneath the city, low level trains and subway, but this CAN be done, with some will and a lot of money. The money would be very well spent in my view.

Why would it be so difficult to cover up the M8 between St Vincent St and Sauchiehall Street?

edit: Just realised it is shallower than I thought for most of it. The bit between Bath St and Sauchiehall is deep enough. I know planners at the time had little regard for the visual impact of the motorway but I don't understand why they couldnt have have sunk it a little bit more so they could have it seemingly underground.

There were plans for such a thing Kramer, but apparently when they looked at it in detail it wasn't feasible? I'm not sure of the reason why, whether there was insufficient clearance or the cost was too much or whatever, but it's not happening (yet it should).

Low level train line at Charing Cross - you can clearly see the hump of the tunnel! - though no reason why they could created a stepped/tiered cover to give added height!

I quite liked the designs for covering over the deeper sections, though I think they would have been greatly improved by including a giant glass pyramid over the humped section ;)

NEWGARL.pdf (http://www.newgarl.com/attachments/NEWGARL.pdf) (56 Pages)

NEWGARL, a strategy for completing the Glasgow Airport Rail Link

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Scottish Government has recently cancelled the plans to link Glasgow with Glasgow
International Airport by a direct Glasgow Airport Rail Link (GARL) - a heavy rail link much in
the style of many other modern thinking cities wishing to maximise the public transport
connections between their population centres and their local airports. The decision to cancel
the project after years of study and investigation has left the local and national communities
who supported the plan asking many questions, not least of which must be the lack of any
consideration of alternatives before the decision was made to axe the scheme.
GARL has already cost the taxpayer something in the region of £25 million, and it appears
that the Scottish Government is prepared to simply write off that investment without first
examining possible solutions to the problems that Transport Scotland have identified in
respect of the viability of GARL. The Scottish Government’s responsibility for maintaining a
workable budget is acknowledged but that same responsibility calls for decisions which
needlessly write off taxpayer’s funds to be transparent and be delivered showing that the full
consequences of the decision have been considered. That does not appear to have taken
place with GARL which appears to have been cancelled in a panicked response by the
Finance Secretary in his inability to find some £45 million in each of the next four years within
a £35 billion budget.
NEWGARL may provide a solution to the problem, with a lower estimated cost of £120 million
for completion, a reduced programme period to complete the new railway and a range of
funding options; Parliament, if not the Finance Secretary, will be given the opportunity to
complete this important railway intervention and extract the maximum benefit in return.
NEWGARL is not really “new” it is a simple reworking of the existing plans. This report offers
a solution to the completion of the rail link by addressing the identified problems, restoring the
viability of GARL and using the project as a first phase of an ongoing improvement to
Scotland’s railway infrastructure. All of this can be completed within the authority granted by
the Glasgow Airport Rail Link Act 2007 (GARL Act) and, if necessary, without compromising
other government department budgets. It also offers advice and a number of ways forward in
constructing and financing the new railway despite the handicap of not having the full
resource of government.
The call has gone out from those who support the cancellation of GARL that an alternative
solution must be found – NEWGARL is that alternative.

Over the next 5 years there are so many major transport commitments already there simply wouldn't be the money for this. The new Forth Crossing, M8/M73/M74 Improvements, AWPR and EGIP will take the Govt to the limits financially. They may struggle to deliver all of these if M8 and AWPR costs increase significantly (costs are currently being reviewed) never mind adding new schemes to the programme.

The trams and the airport link are just typical Labourite pet projects which ultimately cost the tax payer much more in the long run. Tourism seems to go up in Glasgow year to year without the link. Where's the need?

The trams and the airport link are just typical Labourite pet projects which ultimately cost the tax payer much more in the long run. Tourism seems to go up in Glasgow year to year without the link. Where's the need?

Take it you don't often fly from GLA then?

At present it's a bloody nightmare trying to get to the airport using public transport. In my case it involves either a bus for an hour an a half or a train to Gilmour Street followed by a bus to the terminal which would take about an hour. Considering I can park at the airport and be in the terminal in about 50 mins if I hit some traffic thats not much of an incentive to take public transport.

Coming from Glasgow it's just as bad, if you hit congestion your bus can easily take anything up to an 40 mins to get to the terminal from Buchanan Street (depending which one you take) with a train option much the same as from any other direction.

This isn't a "typical Labourite pet project", it's actually something which I believe would do the whole transport network, environment and local economy (less vehicles sitting in traffic) a service in the long run. Less cars on the road, less buses and direct trains. Tell me, wheres the disadvantage?

Tell me, wheres the disadvantage?

The cost exercise proved that the service would never pay for itself. Ever. Why? Not enough people would use it, especially during non-holiday months. 99% of the population do NOT fly on a regular basis. Therefore, it advantages only a small minority and is a pet project.

I would have thought crossrail before any variation of a GARL would be of more importance.

The cost exercise proved that the service would never pay for itself. Ever. Why? Not enough people would use it, especially during non-holiday months. 99% of the population do NOT fly on a regular basis. Therefore, it advantages only a small minority and is a pet project.

So on that basis why was GARL dropped and TIE rescued which had far less support, has cost far more and has destroyed many more businesses from the get-go?

It's not always about financial cost either, what about environmental savings?

Also, 99% of the population might not fly (by that you imply only 50,000 of us do which I find rather unbelievable) but how many passengers pass through GLA? How many do regularly? How many staff does the airport have? Therefore how many journeys could you save?

So on that basis why was GARL dropped and TIE rescued which had far less support, has cost far more and has destroyed many more businesses from the get-go?

It's not always about financial cost either, what about environmental savings?

Also, 99% of the population might not fly (by that you imply only 50,000 of us do which I find rather unbelievable) but how many passengers pass through GLA? How many do regularly? How many staff does the airport have? Therefore how many journeys could you save?

What is TIE? Are you talking about the company behind the edinburgh tram's project? They weren't saved. Are you asking why the Trams project continues? Because half a billion pounds had been spent on it and we were right in the middle of the project. GARL was still at a very early stage. Government projects are all about financial cost. Always. I said 99% of the population don't fly on a regular basis. I suppose you missed that part...what does the number of staff in the airport have to do with the cost efficiency of GARL?...

:nuts: !!!

What is TIE? Are you talking about the company behind the edinburgh tram's project? They weren't saved. Are you asking why the Trams project continues? Because half a billion pounds had been spent on it and we were right in the middle of the project. GARL was still at a very early stage. Government projects are all about financial cost. Always. I said 99% of the population don't fly on a regular basis. I suppose you missed that part...what does the number of staff in the airport have to do with the cost efficiency of GARL?...

:nuts: !!!

Yes, by TIE I was referring to the tram scheme as a whole. Also just because half a billion had been spent and they were in the middle of it doesn't mean it would be cost effective to continue. I don't buy that somehow it would cost more to have stopped it than finish it, that doesn't add up at any level.

Also staff numbers at the airport have a lot to do with GARL. Presumably they don't live in the terminal with Tom Hanks and go home occasionally...

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/transport/revised-station-plan-paves-way-for-robroyston-plan-approval.16671327

PLANS to build 1600 homes in the north of Glasgow, together with a new railway station, hotel and shops, are expected to be approved by councillors this week.

The multimillion-pound development on a 420-acre site at Robroyston, straddling the M80, was rejected by Glasgow City Council last year due to doubts over whether the railway station would be approved.

But a revised planning application by home builder Stewart Milne is likely to be given the green light tomorrow after an objection was withdrawn by Network Rail.


A condition of the revised bid is that construction would only start once the case is made for a new railway station and park-and-ride facilities.

A detailed study to assess the merits of a new station or provide an alternative means of accessing the city centre by public transport has begun, in consultation with the council, Network Rail, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport and government agency Transport Scotland.

Its results are expected to inform a decision by Transport Scotland and Network Rail, which owns and operates track infrastructure, on whether to approve a new station, taking into account the impacts on the wider railway, the need for extra trains and the impact of adding an extra stop.

If approved, the planning application would be valid for 10 years. It includes plans for nearly 3000 square metres of retail space, healthcare and community centres, indoor and outdoor sports facilities, open spaces and a motorway underpass.

A report to be presented to councillors tomorrow concluded there were still obstacles to proving the case for building a new railway station, however.

The report stated: "Transport Scotland advises that it still remains of the view that there are likely to be a number of issues that may affect the viability of a business case for a new railway station at Robroyston and consequently when considering the railway station option, the potential benefits for new passengers will need to be balanced against the negative impacts on existing passengers and services.

"Rolling stock requirements, the operation of Queen Street station, value for money and affordability will also need to be assessed."

Rapidtaco: would this be on the Queen Street (High Level) to Edinburgh line? Somewhere before Bishopbriggs perhaps?

According to STV, the Robroyston plans have been approved by the council.

Rapidtaco: would this be on the Queen Street (High Level) to Edinburgh line? Somewhere before Bishopbriggs perhaps?

No that line is not particularly near robroyston. My guess would be the cumbernauld line for a new station somewhere between springburn and stepps.

No that line is not particularly near robroyston. My guess would be the cumbernauld line for a new station somewhere between springburn and stepps.

I think the plan was for a west Millerston area station which would serve Robroyston. Robryoston has expanded enormously over recent years and the further urban sprawl planned will only exacerbate the current lack of railway access. The city council are keen for Robroyston to be easily accessible as it is one of their high growth areas and an area where massive private housing developments are taking place. I think this proposed development will be to the right of the M80 heading out of Glasgow, therefore joining up Robroyston with Millerston to the east, on the Stepps line.

No that line is not particularly near robroyston. My guess would be the cumbernauld line for a new station somewhere between springburn and stepps.

I think the plan was for a west Millerston area station which would serve Robroyston. Robryoston has expanded enormously over recent years and the further urban sprawl planned will only exacerbate the current lack of railway access. The city council are keen for Robroyston to be easily accessible as it is one of their high growth areas and an area where massive private housing developments are taking place. I think this proposed development will be to the right of the M80 heading out of Glasgow, therefore joining up Robroyston with Millerston to the east, on the Stepps line.

Cheers!

Hope this helps to clarify the location of the proposed new Station, with Park & Ride.

http://i1084.photobucket.com/albums/j403/mr_b1/Robroyston1.jpg

I emailed Scotrail re the state of Glasgow Central Low Level station. Looks like we're getting an upgrade before 2014 . :)

Thank you for your email dated 14 February 2012 regarding Glasgow Central station lower level.

I was sorry to learn of your experiences when you visited Glasgow Central station recently. ScotRail must adhere to a Service Quality Initiative Regime, which is set down by us in partnership with the Transport Scotland and Strathclyde Partnership in Transport. This regime states what customers can expect when travelling on our services and while visiting our stations.

I therefore contacted the Programme Manager regarding the issues that you raised. He has advised me that ScotRail is looking to enhance around 20 stations in Scotland before the start of the Commonwealth Games in 2014. One of the stations will be Glasgow Central lower level. It is the aim to improve the general appearance of the station significantly and the information boards will be replaced by new LED displays.

Thank you for contacting ScotRail. If there is anything else we can help you with, please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Played.

I emailed Scotrail re the state of Glasgow Central Low Level station. Looks like we're getting an upgrade before 2014 . :)

They're replacing the TV screens? That's a shame, I love staring at them for minutes on end waiting for my train to come up like a gormless knob. Oh wait, YAAY!

GARL Completed in the Virtual world. :)

steampowered.com (http://store.steampowered.com/app/24065/)

RailWorks Glasgow Airport Rail Link Add-on

http://cdn.steampowered.com/v/gfx/apps/24065/ss_df2f194fb32d1a916fab5c576cb1a734c8c218a1.600x338.jpg?t=1329415848

GARL Completed in the Virtual world. :)

steampowered.com (http://store.steampowered.com/app/24065/)

RailWorks Glasgow Airport Rail Link Add-on

http://cdn.steampowered.com/v/gfx/apps/24065/ss_df2f194fb32d1a916fab5c576cb1a734c8c218a1.600x338.jpg?t=1329415848

Great link, Mo. :cheers:

Sooner or later this WILL be built...


http://cdn.steampowered.com/v/gfx/apps/24065/ss_4574173cb37a4f6682dc2a1da8bc5cfa59c3e07c.800x600.jpg?t=1329415848

Next stop: Aviation Fuel Depot Excavation Simulator 2012

:D

With the Paisley line upgrades and the Gilmour street reroofing and refurb I dont think it will be long until this is back on the cards. Got train from Gilmour street last night for the first time in ages and was surprised how smooth and quiet it was, massive difference to before.

Transport minister still adamant to close down these Glasgow stations, i hope it dosent as the line is important in the long term. :ohno:

ET (http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/heated-holyrood-clash-but-no-pledge-on-stations-future-msp-bid-fails-to-change-transport-minister-s-position-1.1149566)

Heated Holyrood clash but no pledge on stations’ future MSP bid fails to change Transport Minister’s position

24 Feb 2012


MSPS have clashed at Holyrood over the threat to nine Glasgow railway stations.

Labour, Tory and Green MSPs asked Transport Minister Keith Brown for a guarantee that no stations in the city would close, while SNP members accused the opposition of scaremongering.

Mr Brown repeated that the government had “no plans to close stations” but said he had to listen to views expressed in the consultation before any decisions were taken.

The Evening Times Save our Station campaign has been backed by politicians of all parties, and led to public meetings across the city to discuss the possible impact of the closure of any of the nine stations singled out in the consultation.

Labour MSP for Glasgow Springburn and Maryhill Patricia Ferguson, SNP MSP for Glasgow Bob Doris and Labour MSP for Glasgow Anne McTaggart praised the paper’s campaign in a debate yesterday on Transport Scotland’s Rail 2014 consultation, which was dominated by the threat to stations.


The consultation asked for views on whether stations should close and gives two criteria, including those within one mile of a similar station and those with low usage.

There are about 60 stations within a mile of one another throughout Scotland. However, the consultation mentions only 14, of which nine are in Glasgow.

Mr Brown said: “This is a consultation. We have no plans to close stations in Glasgow or anywhere else, but we need some time to consider the responses.”

Opposition MSPs were not satisfied that Mr Brown refused to guarantee the future of the nine stations or explain why they were listed if there are no plans to close any. Ms Ferguson said: “When a consultation has a foreword from ministers highlighting stations, it is reasonable to be alarmed. ‘No plans’ is not a guarantee.”

Tory leader Ruth Davidson said there was a “real worry about closures” adding: “ The document did make it look like stations are under threat.”

SNP MSPs James Dornan, Humza Yousaf and Bob Doris accepted the minister’s “statement, with Mr Dornan saying the opposition was scaremongering for political purposes.

After the debate Green MSP for Glasgow Patrick Harvie said: “This was a chance for SNP ministers to rule out closures. Instead they stuck to the vague phrase ‘we have no plans’.

“The government has an appalling track record when it comes to public transport. They clearly believe the car is king and are blind to the benefits to people’s pockets and the environment by boosting local rail services.”

A controversial call for the re-regulation of Glasgow’s bus network has been made by the former Chairman of Strathclyde Passenger Transport.

Glasgow must see radical changes to the way it operates its bus routes in order to stave off service reductions and falling passenger numbers, a Glasgow Councillor has said.

Councillor Alistair Watson made the call in favour of re-regulation, saying that Glasgow’s routes should be overseen by a local authority in a similar style to the way Transport for London runs the UK capital’s buses.

http://local.stv.tv/glasgow/news/24766-glasgows-bus-network-must-be-re-regulated-in-order-to-survive-says-councillor/

The story is from last month, but I don't think we discussed it. Would be a good move I reckon.

I just don't know. The whole SPT experience just worries me. It's a sensible idea in theory, but in Glasgow????

I think the problem is the government aren't keen on regulation. A London style scheme would be great, can't see it happening though. Would be happy if we had Lothian Buses over here, any time I've been on them they have been on time and absolutely sparkling inside and out. The £1.30 flat fare is a bargain too. How can First go so wrong?

How can First go so wrong?

They're a private company with 60-80% of the market here. No incentive to improve.

There's also the fact that the bus companies hold up useful projects - like providing cross-ticketing, because they fear loss of revenue. And even competing over service numbers (e.g. there are three or four different 38 buses from different companies running different routes.

Regulation and/or franchising would be fantastic.

Trains get better connected
28 February 2012

Minister announces pilot scheme

Commuters will benefit from new digital connection technology bringing wi-fi service to Scotland’s trains.

Transport Minister Keith Brown has awarded a £250,000 contract to ScotRail to carry out a pilot scheme to trial two systems on trains running primarily between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The move is the first step towards the Scottish Government’s long term aspiration to roll out wi-fi throughout Scotland, allowing passengers online access during their journey.

In addition, it is intended that the next rail franchise will require passenger access to the internet, emails, media and voice communications for rail passengers travelling between Edinburgh, Glasgow and from the central belt to Aberdeen and Inverness.

Mr Brown announced the contract award at the Local Authority Transport Conference in Edinburgh today.

He said:

“One of the challenges forever facing transport is how to embrace constantly-evolving technologies and the demands of passengers to get on with their ever more busy lives while travelling.

“The Scottish Government is committed to forward-looking schemes which put this country at the forefront of new technologies.

“We have promised to do all we can to bring the internet to every corner of Scotland and that includes allowing people to get online when they’re going about their daily business, be that commuting to or from work or travelling socially.

“The Rail2014 consultation set out our stall with a vow to bring full wi-fi connection to train journeys and this pilot gets that underway.

“This scheme shows how we are leading the way with investment in making Scotland a progressive nation.”

The first stage of this project will see First ScotRail equip four trains from the Class 170 fleet with wi-fi enabling equipment, so that passengers on the Edinburgh to Glasgow via Falkirk service can trial this facility.

Steve Montgomery, managing director of ScotRail said, “This is a welcome first step to explore methods to improve connectivity on trains. We will be reporting our findings to Transport Scotland in the autumn.”

Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:

“Wi-fi connectivity is essential to doing business in the 21st century and its introduction to our trains is vital to making public transport a productive business experience. In addition, it recognises the fact that most tourists visiting our country expect to be able to access information on our country through their phones, tablet devices and notebooks. I am certain that this trial will prove to be a resounding success and we look forward to full wi-fi connectivity being rolled out across the ScotRail fleet as soon as practicable.”

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/news/wifi-pilot-scheme

Trains get better connected
28 February 2012

Minister announces pilot scheme

Commuters will benefit from new digital connection technology bringing wi-fi service to Scotland’s trains.

Transport Minister Keith Brown has awarded a £250,000 contract to ScotRail to carry out a pilot scheme to trial two systems on trains running primarily between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The move is the first step towards the Scottish Government’s long term aspiration to roll out wi-fi throughout Scotland, allowing passengers online access during their journey.

In addition, it is intended that the next rail franchise will require passenger access to the internet, emails, media and voice communications for rail passengers travelling between Edinburgh, Glasgow and from the central belt to Aberdeen and Inverness.

Mr Brown announced the contract award at the Local Authority Transport Conference in Edinburgh today.

He said:

“One of the challenges forever facing transport is how to embrace constantly-evolving technologies and the demands of passengers to get on with their ever more busy lives while travelling.

“The Scottish Government is committed to forward-looking schemes which put this country at the forefront of new technologies.

“We have promised to do all we can to bring the internet to every corner of Scotland and that includes allowing people to get online when they’re going about their daily business, be that commuting to or from work or travelling socially.

“The Rail2014 consultation set out our stall with a vow to bring full wi-fi connection to train journeys and this pilot gets that underway.

“This scheme shows how we are leading the way with investment in making Scotland a progressive nation.”

The first stage of this project will see First ScotRail equip four trains from the Class 170 fleet with wi-fi enabling equipment, so that passengers on the Edinburgh to Glasgow via Falkirk service can trial this facility.

Steve Montgomery, managing director of ScotRail said, “This is a welcome first step to explore methods to improve connectivity on trains. We will be reporting our findings to Transport Scotland in the autumn.”

Liz Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said:

“Wi-fi connectivity is essential to doing business in the 21st century and its introduction to our trains is vital to making public transport a productive business experience. In addition, it recognises the fact that most tourists visiting our country expect to be able to access information on our country through their phones, tablet devices and notebooks. I am certain that this trial will prove to be a resounding success and we look forward to full wi-fi connectivity being rolled out across the ScotRail fleet as soon as practicable.”

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/news/wifi-pilot-scheme

They're making this sound like its as challenging as finding the Higgs-Boson. Surely it shouldn't be 'a long term aspiration' to get wifi into a train? Its not exactly a cutting-edge technological development. Just get it done and don't charge me £5 for an hours access like Virgin do.

They're making this sound like its as challenging as finding the Higgs-Boson. Surely it shouldn't be 'a long term aspiration' to get wifi into a train? Its not exactly a cutting-edge technological development. Just get it done and don't charge me £5 for an hours access like Virgin do.
Well actually it's non-trivial. Fitting the wifi into a train is fine, but sorting out the train's network connectivity to the rest of the internet is often tricky.

I think some train services use a GSM/3G uplink for outbound traffic with a satellite downlink for inbound traffic, other train services use the GSM/3G link for inbound and outbound. Many likely run a hybrid. The problem infrastructure is not the kit that needs installed on the train, it's the infrastructure surrounding the train, and the bandwidth that infrastructure can provide.

You need a decent 3G deployment along the entire route to make such an arrangement work. In densely populated areas, where the mobile phone networks already have heavy deployments, there's a much smaller initial setup. In sparsely populated areas, there might be infrastructure for standard GSM connection(s), but that bandwidth shared between a trainload of people isn't much use to anybody. And then we must consider awkward portions of train routes such as tunnels.

On-train wifi in the central belt ought to be relatively easy compared to the rest of the country. If they're planning a country-wide rollout, there will be lines (primarily to the north and to the west) that will be considerably more expensive to fit out. And, yes, if they're doing this, I hope it's not one of these lame "£5 for 60 minutes" arrangements.

Well actually it's non-trivial. Fitting the wifi into a train is fine, but sorting out the train's network connectivity to the rest of the internet is often tricky.

I think some train services use a GSM/3G uplink for outbound traffic with a satellite downlink for inbound traffic, other train services use the GSM/3G link for inbound and outbound. Many likely run a hybrid. The problem infrastructure is not the kit that needs installed on the train, it's the infrastructure surrounding the train, and the bandwidth that infrastructure can provide.

You need a decent 3G deployment along the entire route to make such an arrangement work. In densely populated areas, where the mobile phone networks already have heavy deployments, there's a much smaller initial setup. In sparsely populated areas, there might be infrastructure for standard GSM connection(s), but that bandwidth shared between a trainload of people isn't much use to anybody. And then we must consider awkward portions of train routes such as tunnels.

On-train wifi in the central belt ought to be relatively easy compared to the rest of the country. If they're planning a country-wide rollout, there will be lines (primarily to the north and to the west) that will be considerably more expensive to fit out. And, yes, if they're doing this, I hope it's not one of these lame "£5 for 60 minutes" arrangements.

I don't think he's saying it's as easy as popping a router in a train. I think the point is that the method of doing so is tried and tested. It's only aspirational because Scotland is forced to lag behind the rest of the UK because of lack of funding.

I don't think he's saying it's as easy as popping a router in a train. I think the point is that the method of doing so is tried and tested. It's only aspirational because Scotland is forced to lag behind the rest of the UK because of lack of funding.
There are plenty of TOCs that don't offer any wifi: http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/passenger_services/onboard/WiFi.html

8 TOCs offer at least some wifi, while 13 currently offer none. Yes, it's annoying that it's not ubiquitous across train companies yet, but I for one welcome the sound of progress.

I don't think he's saying it's as easy as popping a router in a train. I think the point is that the method of doing so is tried and tested. It's only aspirational because Scotland is forced to lag behind the rest of the UK because of lack of funding.

Is that the same lack of funding that has delivered the M74 & M80 and will be building the M8 completeion and Forth crossing?

The only reason this is going ahead is because it's getting paid for by us, the fucking mugs. GNER did it off their own backs as did Virgin but in Scotland we pay First, the ones who are supposed to be running the franchise, to do it. That's not aspiration, it's just stupidity, you honestly couldn't make this up...

The point i was trying to make is that i just can't imagine it being a big deal operationally. We even get to skip several generations of experimental train-wifi systems that have been piloted elsewhere.

It exists in almost every developed country - it must be relatively 'off-the-shelf' by now. Who knows, perhaps the infrastructure is guff though.

Squirrelking - just noticed the public funding aspect. Be interested to see if it is indeed offered as a gratuity to us, or whether we will be made to pay more money into First's greedy pockets. Good article in the ET the other day relating to them cutting more bus routes and putting up prices again. Claiming they were hard done by - the boy from SPT put them right in their place though and reminded them of the grants they receive.

Herald (http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/transport/plans-for-faster-and-longer-trains.16896145)

Plans for faster and longer trains

RAIL passengers will benefit from faster, longer trains due to be introduced between Manchester and Scotland at the end of 2013, the Department for Transport said.


First TransPennine Express, which operates passenger services on the route, has ordered 10, four-car electric trains which will be used following electrification of the line between Manchester and the West Coast Main Line.

The order is part of an £82 million investment by the DfT, of which half has gone to FTPE and half to London Midland.

TransPennine Express' 40 new carriages will be used on services from Manchester Airport to Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Rail Minister Theresa Villiers yesterday said: "Increasing capacity on some of the busiest routes in the country is a key part of the major programme of rail capacity expansion we have promised to deliver. It is a vital way of responding to passenger concerns about crowding and proving an important stimulus to economic growth."

wGv1-CIfuRM

Between Manchester and Scotland.

Says it all... Do they see Scotland as some sort of small village north of Chiswick?

Between Manchester and Scotland.

Says it all... Do they see Scotland as some sort of small village north of Chiswick?

I was thinking the exact same thing. Don't let those proud unionists Scots criticise dear leader in the South though. You'll be labelled a maniac conspiracy theorist in no time.

No, just a drivel spouting knobend.

I think by Scotland the inference was on the two main rail hubs of Scotland, you know, Glasgow and Edinburgh...

I was thinking the exact same thing. Don't let those proud unionists Scots criticise dear leader in the South though. You'll be labelled a maniac conspiracy theorist in no time.

You and Kolothos are paranoid.

Do you think anyone south of Gretna would take offence if we discussed a train route as being between Glasgow and England?

Give the faux offence at anything relating to the UK, England, The British Government, Oil, or the BBC a rest unless its actually relevant.

No, just a drivel spouting knobend.

I think by Scotland the inference was on the two main rail hubs of Scotland, you know, Glasgow and Edinburgh...

:yawn:

I'll post in the subway thread next if you wanna follow me around, kiddo.

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/News/GlasgowEdinburghFreeWiFiTrains.htm

The wifi is to be free :)

Attack the post, not the poster. Don't be a knobend yourself.

Between Manchester and Scotland.

Says it all... Do they see Scotland as some sort of small village north of Chiswick?

Don't see an issue to be honest, it reads better as a headline, and if you are in any doubt, you are told the final destinations are Glasgow and Edinburgh in the article.

An ET journalist on twitter is saying that following consultation, cabinet secretary for transport has confirmed that no rail stations in Glasgow will now be closed. I asked him if he knew what the ramifications were for EGIP w.r.t platform capacity at Queen Street, but no response so far.

Rail 2014: Glasgow stations safe

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/news/Rail-2014-Glasgow-stations-safe

Transport Minister Keith Brown will today confirm that no Glasgow train stations will close as a result of the Rail2014 consultation.

Mr Brown reaffirmed the Scottish Government’s commitment to rail services after receiving more than 1,200 responses to the consultation, which asked for passengers’ views on how the next rail franchise should develop.

And, ahead of a short tour of part of the rail network, he reiterated that there were never plans to close any of the stations.

Mr Brown said: “I am delighted to confirm that no stations in Glasgow will be closing. Indeed, we are looking at ways in which we can support the development of new stations on the rail network.

“This Scottish Government has a record of supporting new stations and improving stations across the country. We have invested heavily in the railways with new lines and improvements to the network.

“The Rail Consultation has been an opportunity for people and organisations across the country to express their views on the future of rail services and how services are provided across Scotland.

“I am carrying out a tour of some parts of the network today and will be delighted to assure passengers face-to-face that their stations are safe.

He added:

“As I have continually stated throughout the consultation, we had no plans to close any stations. However, we had to be willing to take on the views expressed by those participating in the consultation and that is what we have done.

“The Scottish Government has an absolute commitment to rail services and to doing all we can to encourage more people on to the trains with all the benefits that entails – less congestion on the roads, a reduction in carbon emissions and increased job and investment opportunities.”

The announcement follows on from a series of visits to stations by Transport Scotland staff during the Rail2014 consultation.

They attended 16 events at train stations up and down the country, answering passengers’ questions and taking their views on the rail service they want when the current franchise ends in 2014.

The Scottish Government currently subsidises the railways in Scotland to the tune of £725million a year. Passengers pay around £295million a year.

Half price deal from Scotrail during March for anyone that travels about a lot.


Scotrail March Madness (http://www.scotrail.co.uk/marchmadness)

Whether you fancy a short spring break or something a bit further afield, take advantage of these great savings on our Off-Peak and Super-Off Peak fares.

Or for something a little closer to home, have a look at our Off-Peak Day Return fares. Whatever your choice we have a great deal to match.



http://www.scotrail.co.uk/sites/default/files/advert-right-images/mpu-2.jpg

I see they are looking at tram-train from airport to st james and onward to city centre.for a mile a small spur it makes sence. opens up the potential of the cities suburban routes .look at the mess eburgh is in digging up miles of roads to get it through.Glasgow doesnt have to dig up city centre to get them through.

Nope, we certainly don't.

We have an unused line (for passengers) running right through the centre of the city with links to the west and the south.. And it sits there unused.

Exhibition recalls Scotland's railways

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/59090000/jpg/_59090551_1960.jpg

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/59091000/jpg/_59091109_1938.jpg

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-17380917


In the second poster above, Edinburgh Castle forms the backdrop to the Edinburgh train.

But look what forms the backdrop to the Glasgow train - the amazingly futuristic Tait Tower.

Glasgow - always bolder, more daring and forward looking than Auld Reekie! :cool:

By the way, Pat Lally had one good idea.

To rebuild this...

http://www.skyscrapernews.com/images/pics/2338GlasgowEmpireExhibitionTower_pic1.jpg

http://i9.************/4ujmmwy.jpg

http://www.empireexhibition1938.co.uk/images/gallery/NorthCascade.jpg

The Incredible Tait Tower - Glasgow Empire Exhibition Tower of 1938 (http://www.urban75.net/forums/threads/the-incredible-tait-tower-glasgow-empire-exhibition-tower-of-1938.285045/)

An individual in the Tait Tower link above made the following interesting comment:

'the shape of the tower is meant to be inspired by the outline of the shape of Scotland'

In all the times that I've looked at images of the tower that never occurred to me. :doh:

http://www.empireexhibition1938.co.uk/images/gallery/NorthCascade.jpg

:drool:

:drool:

Looks more futuristic than most of the skyscrapers being currently built in London new York and Dubai.

Amazing

Cracking website here that lets you fiddle around with 3-D models of all the buildings in the 1938 exhibition:

http://www.empireexhibition1938.co.uk/

i would love to see this rebuilt looks amazing and being on that hill puts it even higher . it really would be a icon for the city :)

The Tait Tower was an absolute stunner. What a joy it would be to see that being put back up again.

Those railway posters are delightful.

Cracking website here that lets you fiddle around with 3-D models of all the buildings in the 1938 exhibition:

http://www.empireexhibition1938.co.uk/

Thanks for the link. It looks to have been a fantastic exhibition, I just wish they had kept those structures and the layout as they were (how many times do we say that regarding Glasgow!)

Last bit of off topic, but here are a couple of interesting figures regarding the Tait Tower:

Paid visitors to Tower; 1,312,392 persons paid to travel to the top of the tower on the two lifts provided.
600 people could enjoy views over the City at one time from the top of the Tower.

How many have been up Glasgow Tower? What is its capacity? About 15?

http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/News/GlasgowEdinburghFreeWiFiTrains.htm

The wifi is to be free :)

An article on the technicalities, ahem...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/government-computing-network/2012/mar/19/wi-fi-trains-scotland-scotrail

Councillor Jonathan Findlay, chair of SPT, has been on twitter tonight talking to some loser, @James_Reid, about his fruitful discussions with a company who will be developing a city-wide oyster card type system. Time frame is months rather than years. Good news!

Oooh, that is good news. Well, its going to have to be in place and in familiar use in time for the Subway redevelopment and Fastlink. And let's just hope to the lord that First will cooperate and support the new card in the SPT area, which they should do, especially if this kind of thing will be replacing the ZoneCard.

Councillor Jonathan Findlay, chair of SPT, has been on twitter tonight talking to some loser, @James_Reid, about his fruitful discussions with a company who will be developing a city-wide oyster card type system. Time frame is months rather than years. Good news!

I believe there's a company in East Kilbride which has worked with SPT in the past, and is a leader in contactless ticketing. I can't remember their name but it could be them. It'd be nice if a local firm got the contract.

I think this will not be city wide, this will be Scotland wide. :)

Just to put this here to highlight details of the recent funding announcement... :cool:


ET (http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/the-future-is-orange-what-s-in-line-for-the-subway-1.1155477)

The future is orange What’s in line for the Subway



GLASGOW will have a new modernised Subway by 2020 following the announcement of a quarter of a billion pounds for the project.

The programme will involved buying a fleet of new driverless trains, refurbishments at all 15 stations, a new signalling system to prevent delays and a new smartcard ticket system similar to the London Oyster card, but even more advanced.

The Evening Times yesterday revealed how the Scottish Government pledged £246million for the works, meaning operators SPT will not have to borrow the cash as was previously thought.

SPT will now make up the remaining £41.5m needed from its own capital budget.

The announcement made by Deputy First Minister, Nicola Surgeon and Infrastructure Secretary Alex Neil was welcomed by transport bosses and politicians in Glasgow.


Glasgow can look forward to a fully modernised Subway that will be the envy of other cities around the UK The Clockwork Orange is a Glasgow institution and sorely needs refurbishment

Talks are ongoing with unions about changes to working practices and what the implications for staff will be, from the new trains and a new maintenance system.

It is expected that the modernisation project will save around £150m in maintenance over a 30-year period and enable the Subway to increase its passenger numbers which have fallen in the last few years, from more than 15m to 13m.

Jonathan Findlay, SPT chairman, said: “Massive changes are coming down the line for the Subway and we’ve already committed millions to station upgrades, new escalators and smartcard ticket technology as well as behind the scenes repairs to tunnels and track beds.

“Tendering for the new bespoke ‘driverless’ trains and signalling that could improve how often our trains run has already begun and we’ve received submissions from world-class firms.

“Working practices are also being addressed to make the Subway’s operation more flexible and we are fully aware of the challenges that lie ahead.

“That is why the support from the Scottish Government is hugely important and with its financial backing, Glasgow can look forward to a fully modern- ised Subway that will be the envy of other cities around the UK.”

The Hillhead station work is expected to be finished by the end of this summer, with Partick, Kelvinhall and Ibrox next to be upgraded and designs being prepared for other stations

The escalator work will take four years, costing £5.7m. The ticket system is hoped to be in place by the end of next year and well before the Commonwealth Games in 2014.

SPT hope it will be able to offer the ticket to be used on buses, trains and ferries as well as the Subway and will be involved in talks with other operators.
The entire programme is due to be completed by 2020, costing £287.5m.
Sandra White, SNP MSP for Glasgow Kelvin, which is home to eight of the 15 stations, said: “This is great news.

“The Subway is an iconic part of Glasgow and it’s great to see it will be getting a significant revamp.

“Constituents are already noticing the upgrades to stations that SPT have commen-ced, and this significant investment from the Scottish Government will ensure that the whole network can be brought into the 21st Century.”

Glasgow City Council leader Gordon Matheson welcomed the announcement, but accused the Scottish Government of electioneering.

He said: “It is amazing what can be announced by governments just days before local elections begin – it seems to concentrate the minds of the SNP ministers in Edinburgh –but any extra support for the Subway is absolutely fantastic news for our city and very much welcome.

“Exactly a year ago we were told the upgrade would get the green light, so it is good to see some flesh on the bones after months of lobbying by the Labour council who really understand the importance of the Subway to this city. We can’t afford more delays.

“The Clockwork Orange is a Glasgow institution and sorely needs refurbishment.

“If this great city’s economy is to flourish we must have a modern transport system, including buses, and the Subway is a vital part of that.”

THE modernisation project is expected to save around £150million in maintenance over a 30-year period and enable the subway to increase its passenger numbers which have fallen from more than 15m to 13m.

The work includes:


New automated trains, which will not require drivers.


New signal and control systems to replace an ageing system that is responsible for many of the current delays.


A new smart card ticket scheme that will allow customers to pre-load for journeys at home and remove the need to queue at stations.


New escalators to replace the current equipment which is often out of service at many stations.


Work to waterproof the tunnels between Partick and Kelvinhall stations and Buchanan Street to Cowcaddens to prevent closures due to flooding after heavy rain.


Lifts at St Enoch and Govan Stations. A study has found it is not feasible to install lifts at other stations

.

Worst bus have just announced their latest monthly fare rise. Their much lauded (sham) 90p short hop fare (that actually only got you 4!!! stops) is now going to £1.35!! All the other fares are going up too. Its only a matter of time before the day ticket is £5.00.

Honestly...when is someone going to step in and take control of this disaster.

You may as well walk now! Terrible!

In a city that is so dependent on the bus... Wow.

...and this is why I do walk, actively avoiding the buses in this city. I'm lucky enough to live close to everything I usually need though. Absolute joke.

Just to put this here to highlight details of the recent funding announcement... :cool:


ET (http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/the-future-is-orange-what-s-in-line-for-the-subway-1.1155477)

The future is orange What’s in line for the Subway



GLASGOW will have a new modernised Subway by 2020 following the announcement of a quarter of a billion pounds for the project.


New automated trains, which will not require drivers.


New signal and control systems to replace an ageing system that is responsible for many of the current delays.


A new smart card ticket scheme that will allow customers to pre-load for journeys at home and remove the need to queue at stations.


New escalators to replace the current equipment which is often out of service at many stations.


Work to waterproof the tunnels between Partick and Kelvinhall stations and Buchanan Street to Cowcaddens to prevent closures due to flooding after heavy rain.


Lifts at St Enoch and Govan Stations. A study has found it is not feasible to install lifts at other stations

.

Is there no way that some extensions, possibly in the SW direction can be made albeit at surface level, to interchange with the circle? Eg conversion of the Paisley Canal branch line with a potential westward extension to the airport?

ET (http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/the-future-is-orange-what-s-in-line-for-the-subway-1.1155477)

The future is orange What’s in line for the Subway



The Clockwork Orange is a Glasgow institution and sorely needs refurbishment.........................


“The Clockwork Orange is a Glasgow institution and sorely needs refurbishment..........................



.



I'm a 46 year old from Glasgow, I've never heard anyone refer to the Subway as 'the Clockwork Orange' in my entire life, who makes this shit up, and why do our Press and Politicians persist with it.

I'm a 46 year old from Glasgow, I've never heard anyone refer to the Subway as 'the Clockwork Orange' in my entire life, who makes this shit up, and why do our Press and Politicians persist with it.

It is sometimes refered to as 'The Clockwork Orange' but only in some guide books and the Evening Times.

Like you I have NEVER once ever heard anyone actualy call that.

As far as I am aware it started as a PR shtick following the 80's refurbishment (when the new trains were orange). Never caught on in reality.

I believe there's a company in East Kilbride which has worked with SPT in the past, and is a leader in contactless ticketing. I can't remember their name but it could be them. It'd be nice if a local firm got the contract.

That company is ECEBS

http://www.ecebs.com/ (http://www.ecebs.com/)

That company is ECEBS

http://www.ecebs.com/ (http://www.ecebs.com/)

Yep that's them, thanks.

I'm pretty sure that clockwork orange was a reference to the last generation of the old pre-modernisation carriages.

I'm pretty sure that clockwork orange was a reference to the last generation of the old pre-modernisation carriages.

You are of course absolutely right.

Partick Cross Station 1980 - now Kelvin Hall. Just before modernisation.
http://citynoise.org/upload/29451.jpg

Good to see that phrase in common use :)

The same rolling stock in the mid 1970s - please note the passenger at 00:28 is smoking and drinking a can of McEwans in an official training film. A normal everyday sight back then. Times have changed.

f23s4Xbqnek

Glasgow Central now UK’s second busiest rail station

http://www.scotsman.com/webimage/1.2204139.1333027358!image/1767111802.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_595/1767111802.jpg
Glasgow Central Station pictured in 1954

Glasgow’s Central Station has become the busiest train station in Britain, outside London.

Figures published today show that passenger numbers rose by 4.8 per cent to 24.95 million, putting Scotland’s busiest station ahead of Birmingham New Street for the first time.

Elsewhere in the UK, many stations are becoming even more crowded, the figures from the Office of Rail Regulation showed.

Based on entries and exits, Euston station in London had 13.3% more passengers in 2010/11 than in 2009/10, the ORR said.

Another big London terminus, Paddington, had a 10.6% increase, while Liverpool Street station in the capital had a 8.1% rise.

The figures compared the 12 months from April 2010 to March 2011 with the 12 months from April 2009 to March 2010.

Waterloo station in London had the most entries and exits in 2010/11 - rising 6.2% to 91.75 million.

The next busiest station was Victoria in London, where numbers rose 4.8% to 73.57 million in the 12 months ending March 2011.

The next busiest stations - all in London - were Liverpool Street (55.77 million), London Bridge (51.48 million) and Charing Cross (37.22 million).

Cardiff Central - up 4.8% to 11.26 million - was the busiest station in Wales.

The busiest English regional station in 2010/11 was Birmingham New Street, where exits and entrances actually fell 2.3% to 24.68 million.

http://www.scotsman.com/news/glasgow-central-now-uk-s-second-busiest-rail-station-1-2204141

Coincidently, Queen Street Passenger Numbers also rose 3.2%, to 19,742,406

Figures published today show that passenger numbers rose by 4.8 per cent to 24.95 million, putting Scotland’s busiest station ahead of Birmingham New Street for the first time.




I'm sure Glasgow Central used to be busier than Birmingham and was always the busiest outside of London?

Nope, Central has always been (in recent years anyway..) the second busiest station outside London in the UK, with the first busiest being Birmingham New Street, now Central is the first busiest outside of London.

Nope, Central has always been (in recent years anyway..) the second busiest station outside London in the UK, with the first busiest being Birmingham New Street, now Central is the first busiest outside of London.


Cheers Kolo, I was thinking 50's and before, I'm sure I read something on Central Station that stated it was historically the busiest UK Station outwith London.......... Perhaps not though.

I wonder if the figures released include Central Low-Line passengers and travel-card users etc, I know that they never used to include travel/trans/oyster card users etc when they released these figures?

Nope, Central has always been (in recent years anyway..) the second busiest station outside London in the UK, with the first busiest being Birmingham New Street, now Central is the first busiest outside of London.

Central has been busiest outside London six of the last eight years using these figures. In a few of the years Central was first New Street wasn't second. Just saying like...

I'm pretty sure the ET picks up on the topics we post here and exploits as reporting. :lol:



ET (http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/25m-passengers-central-station-is-top-of-the-stops-1.1156221)

25m passengers... Central Station is top of the stops



30 Mar 2012


GLASGOW Central has retained its crown as Scotland’s best used railway station, figures show.
In all 24.9million passengers used the station in a 12-month period, making it the busiest in the UK outside London.
The station was ranked No 1 in Scotland for passenger numbers and ninth in the UK – the first eight were all in London.
The figures mean Central moved ahead of Birmingham New Street, the only other non-London station in the Top 10.
Figures produced by the Office Of Rail Regulation showed four Glasgow stations in the Top 10 in Scotland.
Facilities for passengers at Central have been improved
As well as Central, Queen Street was in third place, Partick was sixth and Charing Cross 10th.
The statistics are based on ticket sales and cover a period from April 2010 to March 2011.
A total of 24,950,987 passengers got on and off trains at Central – up 1,141,038 or 4.8% on the previous year.
Passenger numbers at Queen Street rose from 19,121,724 to 19,742,406, up 3.2%.
At Partick, numbers rose 10.6% from 2,070,034 to 2,289,774.
And Charing Cross stayed in the Scottish Top 10 despite a drop of 2.6%, from 1,678,918 to 1,635,982.
A spokesman for Network Rail, which owns the stations, said: “At Glasgow Central in recent years passenger facilities have been continually improved, while capacity at the station has also been increased with the creation of two more platforms.
“An ambitious redevelopment is also planned for Glasgow Queen Street.”
Other stations on the Scottish list are Edinburgh Waverley (2nd), Paisley Gilmour Street (4th), Aberdeen (5th), Stirling (7th), Edinburgh Haymarket (8th), and Dundee (9th).
Waterloo topped the UK list with 91,750,382 passengers followed by Victoria, Liverpool Street, London Bridge, Charing Cross, Euston, Paddington, and King’s Cross.

[CENTER]I'm pretty sure the ET picks up on the topics we post here and exploits as reporting. :lol:

For sure! The last sentence in their report gave it away:

"However a tunnel link between the Clockwork Orange and Central Station will still not be considered regardless of the high passanger numbers."


















(The above sentance may not have appeared in the report) :D

Cheers Kolo, I was thinking 50's and before, I'm sure I read something on Central Station that stated it was historically the busiest UK Station outwith London.......... Perhaps not though.

I wonder if the figures released include Central Low-Line passengers and travel-card users etc, I know that they never used to include travel/trans/oyster card users etc when they released these figures?

50's and before, definitely. Glasgow was much more important back then, and certainly a bigger city than Birmingham.

Although the usage of Central may be skewed due to the high number of scene and emo kids that hang about Tie Rack..

And also the fact that all of the Suburban services south of the Clyde (and the Argyle Line) use Central. Birmingham doesn't have such a busy Suburban system I don't believe.

I doubt that Kids hanging around would skew the data, I'm sure it's based on ticket sales of destinations beginning and ending at the Stations.

That's Birmingham and any other city's loss. I'm glad the planners of yesteryear built the suburban rail network. It's a great means of transport, as is the Subway, which I'm certain most large sized UK cities would love to have!


"However a tunnel link between the Clockwork Orange and Central Station will still not be considered regardless of the high passanger numbers."

(The above sentance may not have appeared in the report) :D
:troll:
Damn, I actually looked for it! Hahaha

:)

Lots of famous names attached to Central station and a most famous rail station in the UK than we all thought.

5_mL7iItkBQ

It's a shame Central doesn't have a decent pub or something inside. You'd expect somewhere so old to have somewhere memorable like that within its walls. Maybe when they're digging under it to build the subway link they can build a little rail museum too ;)

It's a shame Central doesn't have a decent pub or something inside. You'd expect somewhere so old to have somewhere memorable like that within its walls. Maybe when they're digging under it to build the subway link they can build a little rail museum too ;)

No need, theres plenty of room under there!

:troll:
Damn, I actually looked for it! Hahaha



So did I, just so I could let the reference to 'the Clockwork Orange' annoy me.

Glasgow Cental: Did it not feature also in the lyrics of Hue and Cry's Looking Out for Linda?

^^ Leeds Central and a train to Paisley. Glasgow didnt rhyme.

Just been amazed to discover that there is now no bus route that goes over the squinty bridge! How shit is that?

Fastlink will but it seems strange a normal bus route hasn't been routed over it.

The Arriva 26 goes over the Squinty Bridge although they may have rerouted it after the McGill's takeover.

Just been amazed to discover that there is now no bus route that goes over the squinty bridge! How shit is that?

Um, I think there are and it's perfectly understandable when you consider the rail and subway connections in that part of town.

Um, I think there are and it's perfectly understandable when you consider the rail and subway connections in that part of town.

Yeah but thats no use if you want to get the bus there. I had to get the bus to argyle street in Finnieston to go to the BBC building recently. Why should i have to pay for the bus and the train? Total joke.

And therein lies the main problem with Glasgow.

Going to finneston/SECC/Pacific Quay by bus will require you to walk some of the way at the end of your journey.

When Fastlink comes, we should have better integrated ticketing by then.

Yeah but thats no use if you want to get the bus there. I had to get the bus to argyle street in Finnieston to go to the BBC building recently. Why should i have to pay for the bus and the train? Total joke.
Welcome to life outside the subway circle :lol:

Um, I think there are and it's perfectly understandable when you consider the rail and subway connections in that part of town.

No, not that understandable actually. There is a station at SECC, obviously, but that's a good 6 minute walk over the tube of doom just to get to the SECC front door which is a considerable distance from anywhere you want to go apart from the SECC itself. Ibrox underground is a 15 minute walk from the south end of the squinty bridge and Cessnock similar. Immediately north and east of the bridge there's quite a little cluster of offices, businesses and residential units and they're surprisingly poorly served in terms of public transport until Fastlink arrives.

Until last Monday the arriva 26 crossed over, linking places in Govan and beyond with just north of the River around Lancefield Quay and Anderston Quay. McGills have now taken over this route though and they've changed it to go via the South of the River.

No, not that understandable actually. There is a station at SECC, obviously, but that's a good 6 minute walk over the tube of doom just to get to the SECC front door which is a considerable distance from anywhere you want to go apart from the SECC itself. Ibrox underground is a 15 minute walk from the south end of the squinty bridge and Cessnock similar. Immediately north and east of the bridge there's quite a little cluster of offices, businesses and residential units and they're surprisingly poorly served in terms of public transport until Fastlink arrives.

Until last Monday the arriva 26 crossed over, linking places in Govan and beyond with just north of the River around Lancefield Quay and Anderston Quay. McGills have now taken over this route though and they've changed it to go via the South of the River.

Fastlink is actually a bit of a scandal now i think of it. It means that there is no way of quickly reaching these important areas unless you buy another ticket on top of your additional travel tickets. So, £4.50 now for your bus day ticket and probably another £4.00 to go the final distance to the SECC. I should have the option to do this on the citywide day ticket i already have.

Sums up Glasgow's fragmented travel network in one fell swoop.

It should be one £1.50 ticket that gets you anywhere in Glasgow (making transfers if required) across any means of transport.

Fastlink is actually a bit of a scandal now i think of it. It means that there is no way of quickly reaching these important areas unless you buy another ticket on top of your additional travel tickets. So, £4.50 now for your bus day ticket and probably another £4.00 to go the final distance to the SECC. I should have the option to do this on the citywide day ticket i already have.

Sums up Glasgow's fragmented travel network in one fell swoop.

It should be one £1.50 ticket that gets you anywhere in Glasgow (making transfers if required) across any means of transport.

Fastlink is going to use the same smartcard ticketing as the Subway. Let's hope the other bus companies join in. I know ScotRail are doing their own smartcard trial; I pray they all join the same system.

It should be one £1.50 ticket that gets you anywhere in Glasgow (making transfers if required) across any means of transport.

Undoubtably this is true. Is reprivatizing the buses the only way this could generally happen?

Fastlink is going to use the same smartcard ticketing as the Subway. Let's hope the other bus companies join in. I know ScotRail are doing their own smartcard trial; I pray they all join the same system.

Yeah, i understand that, but my issue is that it will be run by a new franchise who will charge extra for people who have already paid for bus or rail season tickets.

And there is no option to get a bus to these areas if you don't want to get the fastlink. Not very fair if you don't want to buy multiple season tickets to make what should be a very simple cross city journey.

Fastlink is going to use the same smartcard ticketing as the Subway. Let's hope the other bus companies join in. I know ScotRail are doing their own smartcard trial; I pray they all join the same system.

They will all use the same system. It will work Scotland wide on everything, even ferries I think. The pensioners smart cards are also on the same system, in fact that was why the equipment was first rolled out, which means that (almost) every bus in the country already has it installed.

The big question is: will they use the system to create intelligent integrated ticketing, so that, for example, if I make an off peak return journey on rail inside the roundabout zone, and take several trips by subway, it automatically only charges me for a roundabout ticket, rather than the collection of individual tickets. If the system does this automatically then we are on to a winner, if not, and we have to decide what tickets / day passes etc we can't to buy on a given day, then it will be a huge disappointment. IMO, the holy trail would be if they were not only to make it automatic, but also to take the opportunity to create new day pass style tickets to also cover bus journeys.

We'll see I guess.

In hk they can also use their smart cards to buy Starbucks etc, again very much hoping they go down this road too - we'd be a pretty advanced we country then, closer to a cashless society... Reading between the lines in the documentation I've see, they did want to do this :)

In hk they can also use their smart cards to buy Starbucks etc, again very much hoping they go down this road too - we'd be a pretty advanced we country then, closer to a cashless society... Reading between the lines in the documentation I've see, they did want to do this :)

Octopus cards are f'n awesome, we got ours at a ticket booth for something silly like $HK20 deposit each and cashed them in when we bought our train tickets back to the airport. Not just Starbucks and such either, you can use them for phone topups and are generally accepted in the 7 Elevens and other major convenience stores.

If Scotland gets the same thing then it would be a real step towards getting more people onto public transport as long as the system works for you rather than against you as it seems to at the moment.

^^ Leeds Central and a train to Paisley. Glasgow didnt rhyme.

Thanks Herbicide!

Leeds Central closed down in the 60s. :lol:

I guess you can get away with these kind of things in lyrics. :)

Railway stations to be refurbished for 2014 Commonwealth Games
BBC News 11th April 2012

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/59595000/jpg/_59595564_265px-bellg_001.jpg

A £1m programme of improvements in passenger facilities at 19 railway stations in Glasgow and Lanarkshire has been announced.

The stations in line to be upgraded are close to key Commonwealth Games venues or at 'feeder' stations likely to be busy during the event.

Work on the ScotRail programme should begin later this year.

The upgrades will include new customer information screens, waiting shelters, seating and lighting.

The stations to benefiting from the investment are:

Glasgow - Argyle Street, Bellgrove, Carntyne, Glasgow Central Low Level, Charing Cross, Duke Street, Exhibition Centre, High Street, Jordanhill, Mount Florida, Partick, Queen Street High Level and Low Level, Scotstounhill, Shettleston and Kings Park
Lanarkshire - Hamilton Central, Hamilton West, Motherwell.
In addition, Transport Scotland and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport have announced a further £600,000 of funding, for improvements at 11 stations in Glasgow and Lanarkshire as well as Carnoustie, Angus.

Much of this money will concentrate on access to the stations.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said: "I am delighted that ScotRail is meeting its commitment to invest £1m in new passenger facilities to make travelling by train to the Games a better option for spectators.

"This work, in conjunction with Network Rail, will deliver real benefits and help make rail travel a better choice for passengers during and after the 2014 Games."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-17676547

Fantastic.

Although I am surprised to see Partick and Mount Florida on there, they have both been quite recently upgraded to quite a high standard. Mount Florida is the only station on the Cathcart Circle with lifts, and Partick has that big fancy interchange.

But having the majority of Argyle/North Clyde line stations in the City Centre being upgraded is very very welcome news. Especially Central LL. It has serious access problems..

Doesn't seem like a great deal of money right enough - how far will it stretch?? Window dressing?

Doesn't seem like a great deal of money right enough - how far will it stretch?? Window dressing?

"The upgrades will include new customer information screens, waiting shelters, seating and lighting."

Basically, yes. Central LL will still be a shithole.

Out of curiosity, did it ever get more than a quick hose down after the Kelvin flooded it in the 90's?

"The upgrades will include new customer information screens, waiting shelters, seating and lighting."

Basically, yes. Central LL will still be a shithole.

Out of curiosity, did it ever get more than a quick hose down after the Kelvin flooded it in the 90's?

Central LL and Argyle St are both in major need of a refurb, especially given their city centre locations!

Any news on the proposed station between bellgrove and carntyne?

That's a trivial amount given the number of stations. £1,000,000 wouldn't even scratch the surface (of dirt and water) at Central LL. NEXT.

This seem to be the announcement of the info I got from Scotrail in February. Looks like it might just be new screens and a paint job though. :ohno:

Kolothos I think the reference to Partick would be for the new LED screens, Partick still has the old "TV" box type screens on the platforms at the moment, why they weren't replaced for the new station opening I couldn't understand.

I emailed Scotrail re the state of Glasgow Central Low Level station. Looks like we're getting an upgrade before 2014 .


Quote:
Thank you for your email dated 14 February 2012 regarding Glasgow Central station lower level.

I was sorry to learn of your experiences when you visited Glasgow Central station recently. ScotRail must adhere to a Service Quality Initiative Regime, which is set down by us in partnership with the Transport Scotland and Strathclyde Partnership in Transport. This regime states what customers can expect when travelling on our services and while visiting our stations.

I therefore contacted the Programme Manager regarding the issues that you raised. He has advised me that ScotRail is looking to enhance around 20 stations in Scotland before the start of the Commonwealth Games in 2014. One of the stations will be Glasgow Central lower level. It is the aim to improve the general appearance of the station significantly and the information boards will be replaced by new LED displays.

Thank you for contacting ScotRail. If there is anything else we can help you with, please do not hesitate to contact us again.

Kilmarnock train station could do with some modern screens as the ones there,look like something from "The Railway Children "movie.! (Scotrail take note).!

Ah.. I see... Not as good as it first seemed!

And Partick still has those boxes?! Both my local stations (Pollokshaws East and West) have the nice LED ones.

Kolothos I think the reference to Partick would be for the new LED screens, Partick still has the old "TV" box type screens on the platforms at the moment, why they weren't replaced for the new station opening I couldn't understand.
Wouldn't hurt them to install a couple of sodding ticket machines while they're at it.

A ticket machine's been installed at Bellgrove recently.

The subsurface lines are a disgrace. Queen Street Low Level is fine, but High Street, Charing Cross, Exhibition Centre, Anderston, Central Low Level, Argyle Street, and Bridgeton are all horrific. Quite a few lack lifts as well. And on the suburban stations, "basic" is the order of the day - some steep, narrow steps leading down to a platform with a bus shelter is not really good enough imo. Where is the care and effort the Victorians put in to making even the smallest station beautiful? All that isn't going to change for a token £1million.

Where is the care and effort the Victorians put in to making even the smallest station beautiful? All that isn't going to change for a token £1million.

I guess the city had quite a bit more money back then..

Maxwell Park station is a fantastic example of Victorian station building. It's beautiful down there.

I guess the city had quite a bit more money back then..

Maxwell Park station is a fantastic example of Victorian station building. It's beautiful down there.

Wealth was also concentrated in far fewer hands and labour was extraordinarily cheap, so building anything was fairly straightforward. See China today, for example.

I guess the city had quite a bit more money back then..

Maxwell Park station is a fantastic example of Victorian station building. It's beautiful down there.
The original platform buildings are also still there at Queens Park, Crosshill, and Cathcart. Although the ticket office at Crosshill is gone - it was up on street level as the platform is very narrow (the platform buildings are basically a couple of long cupboards holding up the canopy).

I read about plans to electrify the Paisley Canal, East Kilbride, Barrhead, Whifflet, and Shotts lines, which would make almost every train using Central electric. Does this have funding?

Why is there no station on the North Clyde line at the Forge? You could get a train there from a huge swathe of places from Helensburgh all the way to Edinburgh.

I'd love to see re-opened lines to Kilmacolm, Stobhill, Parkhead, and Maryhill. An increase in frequency to at least every 15 minutes on every line would be nice.

These things are a constant frustration to me. They are all achievable and sensible. We could probably have had every single one of them for the cost of the stupid M74 extension. And yet they remain in dreamworld.

I read about plans to electrify the Paisley Canal, East Kilbride, Barrhead, Whifflet, and Shotts lines, which would make almost every train using Central electric. Does this have funding?

Why is there no station on the North Clyde line at the Forge? You could get a train there from a huge swathe of places from Helensburgh all the way to Edinburgh.

I'd love to see re-opened lines to Kilmacolm, Stobhill, Parkhead, and Maryhill. An increase in frequency to at least every 15 minutes on every line would be nice.

These things are a constant frustration to me. They are all achievable and sensible. We could probably have had every single one of them for the cost of the stupid M74 extension. And yet they remain in dreamworld.

The m74 extension was well worth the investment. Agree with your other comments though. And no those electrification schemes don't have funding.

Lol, I'd love to see anyone from Kilmacolm on a train with filthy commoners.


(I jest)

Why is there no station on the North Clyde line at the Forge? You could get a train there from a huge swathe of places from Helensburgh all the way to Edinburgh.

I'd love to see re-opened lines to Kilmacolm, Stobhill, Parkhead, and Maryhill. An increase in frequency to at least every 15 minutes on every line would be nice.



......and as someone from Helensburgh I would also add getting someone from Helensburgh within a country mile of the Forge would be like asking queen lizzy to bunk the night in a cooncil flat in the drum!

'Difficult road' facing bus firms and passengers

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-17720906

Bus services across Scotland seem to be heading down a difficult road - cuts in routes, hikes in fares and threats of job losses.

The bus companies insist subsidy cuts are driving them into a corner but the government isn't buying that.

Kevin Keane gets on board for Sunday Politics Scotland to find out what you can expect as a passenger.

Something that would benefit Glasgow greatly (And has already been considered as an alternative to the Airport Link), is something like this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karlsruhe_model

Essentially, you replace urban rail services in as many places as possible with these LRV's, which allows for cheaper running, faster times between close stations, cheaper infrastructure, more frequent services and a more modern looking and attractive rail system. And, in places where it would be impossible to fully convert heavy rail lines to LRV lines, track sharing can be implemented.

It also means that the system can be expanded with less cost, as station building becomes much simpler and cheaper, less space is needed to lay tracks (higher radius curves, for example) and it's an all round greener alternative to the bus.

With a system like that in place, Subway, or ''Metro'' expansion would be a much more realistic prospect, albeit using abandoned tunnels, surface running, track sharing and some street running.

EDIT - some more info on the GARL alternative - http://www.heraldscotland.com/comment/letters/tram-train-links-could-take-scotlands-transport-network-into-the-future.17003514

Very similar to what happened in Newcastle both originally when the Tyne and Wear Electrics system (that was part of BR) was linked with new tunnels under the city and became the Metro, and more recently when it was extended to Sunderland over the exisiting heavy rail link.

MAIN WORKS COMMENCE ON DALMARNOCK REDEVELOPMENT


The main construction work has now begun on the creation of a new £11m station for Dalmarnock in Glasgow’s East End.



http://www.constructionnow.co.uk/enews/images/Dalmarnock%201.BMP

Following extensive preparatory and enabling works, Network Rail and C Spencer Ltd are now building a new station on Dalmarnock Road to replace the existing facility on Swanston Street. In order to construct the new station in a safe and secure way, the current facility will be closed to the public from 3 June 2012 to 25 November 2012.

Once complete, by the end of 2013, the station will have a new, fully DDA-compliant station building (relocated to Dalmarnock Road from Swanston Street); lift access to both platforms; new pedestrian footbridge; new platform surfaces; new wall cladding on both platforms; and new customer information and communication systems.

The station is being redeveloped in time for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, when it will be a key transport hub for those travelling to and from many of the Games’ events. It is also a key element of the long-term regeneration of the East End of Glasgow.

The project is being funded by Clyde Gateway, Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, with an additional contribution secured through the European Regional Development Fund.

Network Rail is delivering the project on behalf of Transport Scotland and the funding partners. The first stage of the project included a programme of advanced works, including site clearance as well as restoration and painting of the 15 concrete encased steel (over-rail) beams. These works commenced on site during August 2011 and were completed during December 2011.

David Simpson, Network Rail route managing director for Scotland, said: “The project is progressing to time and on-budget and once complete the new Dalmarnock station will provide visitors with a first-class welcome to the local area, during the Commonwealth Games and beyond.”

Minister for Transport, Keith Brown, added: "I'm delighted we have reached another milestone in the Dalmarnock station works. This cutting-edge transport hub will not only play a central role during the 2014 Games but help attract new businesses, commercial, housing and office developments as well as play a central role in the regeneration of Glasgow's East End for years after."

Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games, said: “The redevelopment of Dalmarnock station is another sign of the regeneration of Glasgow’s East End. The improvements to the station will bring immediate benefits to local people, help transform the area and play a part in the successful delivery of the Games in 2014.”

SPT Chief Executive, Gordon Maclennan, said: “SPT has championed the station overhaul for a long time and it is great to see the work progressing at pace. It really will be a fantastic transport legacy for the Games and for Glasgow for years to come.”

www.networkrail.co.uk

http://betterbuses.org/

They've finished all the work on the Pollokshaws Road/Eglinton Toll bus corridor.

Much smoother ride, and new shelters and platforms at stops. Makes Eglinton Toll in particular look a lot nicer.

Pics? :D

Seriously though, that's great that Eglinton toll is looking better! :)

They've finished all the work on the Pollokshaws Road/Eglinton Toll bus corridor.

Much smoother ride, and new shelters and platforms at stops. Makes Eglinton Toll in particular look a lot nicer.

I would go so far as saying it looks a lot better. It has improved but Eglinton Toll is still a fucking mess.

Well, any kind of resurfacing would have done Eglinton Toll good! But it certainly looks much better with the fresh paint on the road, the nice smooth asphalt and modern bus stops with those low platforms.

It's slowly improving though. The area under the M74 viaduct is starting to take shape, and there is a nice square patch of land that would make plenty of space for a small park or some new buildings. I'm not sure what the plans are exactly for that bit.

The area under the M74 viaduct is starting to take shape, and there is a nice square patch of land that would make plenty of space for a small park or some new buildings. I'm not sure what the plans are exactly for that bit.

The Govt will sell off the land they no longer need in due course. I believe the previous owner gets first refusal before it goes on the open market.

This may be old news to some, but I've just come across this. http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/files/documents/reports/j10194a/j10194a-a2D25.pdf

It's part of Transport Scotland's STPR, which has led to a number of projects being currently developed (New Forth crossing, for example), and one of the projects further down the list is ''West of Scotland Strategic Rail Enhancements'', which makes many references to a 'Metro' system running in Glasgow, as well as a new underground tunnel under the city (like the more expensive alternative to Crossrail) and a new Glasgow East station.

Why doesn't the 'Oyster Card' seem to be a priority for SPT?

Here is a 6 line SPT metro idea that wouldn't require too much infrastructure changes:

Line 1:
(1A) Yoker to Parkhead
(1B) Yoker to Cambuslang

Line 2:
Anniesland to Springburn(via Queens Street) and Springburn to Anniesland (via Maryhill) lines joined to make a Northern Circle.

Line 3: Southern Circle
The Cathcart Circle rebranded under the new ticket type.

Line 4:
The Paisley Canal rebranded under the new ticket type.

Subway:
The subway, but with the option to use the Metro Card to pay.

Fastlink:
Not on my map, but part of the SPT metro, using the same ticket and joining up a few of the stations following differant routes.

Get those 6 routes on the same Ticket and you can travel around the city with ease, swapping between differant means of transport to get where you need to be while only paying for the one journey.

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg13/scaled.php?server=13&filename=sptmetro.png&res=landing
And put the above onto fold up pocket maps like they have in London, and it'd make a huge differance to how people get around the city. The rail network is there it's just about bringing it into the greater public's knowledge. Too much of a hidden gem at the minute.

Why doesn't the 'Oyster Card' seem to be a priority for SPT?

Here is a 6 line SPT metro idea that wouldn't require too much infrastructure changes:

Line 1:
(1A) Yoker to Parkhead
(1B) Yoker to Cambuslang

Line 2:
Anniesland to Springburn(via Queens Street) and Springburn to Anniesland (via Maryhill) lines joined to make a Northern Circle.

Line 3: Southern Circle
The Cathcart Circle rebranded under the new ticket type.

Line 4:
The Paisley Canal rebranded under the new ticket type.

Subway:
The subway, but with the option to use the Metro Card to pay.

Fastlink:
Not on my map, but part of the SPT metro, using the same ticket and joining up a few of the stations following differant routes.

Get those 6 routes on the same Ticket and you can travel around the city with ease, swapping between differant means of transport to get where you need to be while only paying for the one journey.

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg13/scaled.php?server=13&filename=sptmetro.png&res=landing
And put the above onto fold up pocket maps like they have in London, and it'd make a huge differance to how people get around the city. The rail network is there it's just about bringing it into the greater public's knowledge. Too much of a hidden gem at the minute.

Awesome work.

It's a pity we don't have this kind of vision among our decision makers.

Well, they're rolling one out just now, and Transport Scotland have recommended that Glasgow have a Metro like that.

Better still, have Cathcart Circle and Paisley Canal running through the City Union line and into Queen Street Low Level, convert Fastlink to Light Rail, have it run to Glasgow Airport via Braehead, create a German (U-Bahn/S-Bahn) or French style (Metro/RER) hierarchy of travel modes. S for Subway, C for Commuter, F for Fastlink, B for Bus, use the Subway roundel as much as possible in these variations.

The only thing is, what would happen to the rail services that would use these lines?

I'm meant to be studying today, so here are the fruits of my procrastination. Having the North Clyde Line as part of the Subway is pretty impractical, so I've tried to separate the system from the rest of the mainlines as much as possible. This is my ideal situation.

I'd build a new Suburban terminus at High Street for S3 and S4 and an interchange with S2 at Glasgow Cross.

S1 - The current Subway
S2 - Re-instated line between Exhibition Centre and Maryhill Shopping Centre, with an underground terminal at the northern end, cut and covered out of the car park. New branch to Parkhead, and a terminal at Rutherglen. Nice new speedy trains.
S3 - The Cathcart Circle and it's branch lines, nice new speedy trains.
S4 - Paisley Canal, electrified, with nice new speedy trains.
T1 - Fastlink south bank route converted to light rail. Connected to S4 by a line running alongside the Inverclyde line between West Street and Hillington and a stretch of disused railway between Hillington and Braehead. I'd build an underground station at Braehead to hook up to the main entrance to Braehead.
T2 - North bank Fastlink route to Cambuslang, linking up the SECC and Glasgow Harbour.
T3 - High Street terminal to Cambuslang via Otlands and Rutherglen Main Street, mainly to replace services lost in that area by the shortening of the Argyle Line while linking some new areas up to the rail system. Some track sharing with Subway trains on S3 and S4 on the viaduct through the East of town.

http://i47.servimg.com/u/f47/14/07/60/84/map10.png (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=313&u=14076084)

Further more, I'd organise the commuter lines into a selection of 'C' lines, and build a new tunnel under town with a new station underground between Central and Queen Street, allowing some commuter lines to run services to the new station.

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg13/scaled.php?server=13&filename=sptmetro.png&res=landing



http://i47.servimg.com/u/f47/14/07/60/84/map10.png (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=313&u=14076084)

Great maps! Love the effort that's going in here guys!

I don't think we should be ignoring the North Clyde line just because it goes all the way to Edinburgh - that's an advantage. I don't feel the new north-south tunnel is a great idea because it only gives you a choice of one station to get off at in the city centre.

I'd like to see a tram network consisting of old and new infrastructure:
1. The Cathcart Circle
2. A new tram line from just before Whitecraigs down Ayr Road in Newton Mearns
3. A new interchange station between the Neilston/Newton Mearns tram line and the East Kilbride rail line to replace Williamwood to encourage journeys between these suburbs to be made by rail/tram.
4. A new tram stop to fill in the gap between Burnside and Kirkhill.
5. A street tram line from Pollokshields East, past Bridge Street Subway, Central Station, Queen Street station, and the Royal Infirmary
6. Two branch lines from there: to Stobhill Hospital via the disused rail line, and along Edinburgh Road to the Glasgow Fort.
7. The Fastlink bus routes upgraded to light rail

I like this because it's similar to what they're doing in Manchester and that looks pretty great. This idea takes 6tph out of Central, which allows frequency to be increased on other lines. I'd reopen the tunnels to Maryhill and Parkhead, build a new station at the Forge, electrify the few remaining diesel lines, renovate the nasty low-level stations, and make the smartcards work for everything.

Once all that was done almost everyone would be within walking distance of a decent rail service, so you could ban cars from the city centre and have pedestrianised streets, bike lanes, and bus lanes galore.

Great effort on the maps.

However, any new system has to incorporate the big estates of Castlemilk, Pollok, Drumchapel and possibly Easterhouses.

It's a much more tricky thing, I think, because the Argyle Line and the North Clyde Line both have much wider areas that can't just be separated from the central section - and part of the Argyle Line east of Rutherglen is shared with the West Coast Main Line.

I can't see the benefit in terminating a metro-style line at Cambuslang, may as well go one stop further to the east to Newton and create an interchange with the branch of the Cathcart Line that can terminate there. The Cathcart Line itself is a strange thing because trains coming from Newton can come within spitting distance of Cathcart Station without actually being able to stop there, perhaps it can all be reconfigured to make it accessible to all branches in the middle of the maze of tracks around it.

What would just be nice for the Greater Glasgow rail network, whether heavy or light, is for true metro timings - to not be concerned with turning up on time, but to know that you can turn up any time and get a train within 5-6 minutes. At the moment, you can wait up to half an hour between services.

And they need to run later. Trains at the moment run down at around 11-11.20pm, apart from services around an hour later on a Friday night. These later timings need to become standard 7 days a week.

I had a go at a tram/train wider Glasgow metro system with a linkage to Glasgow Airport giving connection between Central, HSR and Queen St utilising the Union line and a new section connecting with High street to continue on the North Clyde line.

As others have mentioned we should bring back into use the London Road tunnel and the Yorkhill, Botanic, Kelvinbridge tunnels.

I would also like the option of going North from the airport via a new tunnel or for cost saving dedicated lines using the Erskine Bridge to have an interconnection at Clydebank.

Most of the infrastucture is already in place for any variation of an intregrated tram/train network in and around Glasgow and all that is lacking currently is funding.

The other suggestions on here are great and it just shows how much potential we have in Glasgow.

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/8420/spt2p.jpg

What would just be nice for the Greater Glasgow rail network, whether heavy or light, is for true metro timings - to not be concerned with turning up on time, but to know that you can turn up any time and get a train within 5-6 minutes. At the moment, you can wait up to half an hour between services.

And they need to run later. Trains at the moment run down at around 11-11.20pm, apart from services around an hour later on a Friday night. These later timings need to become standard 7 days a week.

Yes, these are the important points. I'm constantly confused that there are barriers to greater frequency, but then I'm no expert.

I'd go much further on late night trains too, all lines should be running at once per hour 24 hours.

Yes, these are the important points. I'm constantly confused that there are barriers to greater frequency, but then I'm no expert.

I'd go much further on late night trains too, all lines should be running at once per hour 24 hours.

If they can get the waiting time down to 5-6 minutes up until 1am and then run once hourly services between 1am and 6am, they will definitely increase usage. The idea of a properly functioning Metro like that is amazing! :banana:

I'd separate the East Kilbride branch from the South Western mainline, and I'd create a new junction at Williamwood, for Tram-Trains like you see on German Stadtbahn systems, which would create a new East and West branch of the Neilston line, with the East branch running to East Kilbride, with a tram section running into East Kilbride town centre. On the west branch, it'd follow the railway to Thornliebank, then it would curve up to street level heading north up Thornliebank Road, then turn left down the main road to Silverburn, bringing rail to Pollok.

This means that you can have the East Kilbride line turned to Light Rail without affecting the South West mainline, which would be impossible to convert to Light Rail, as express trains frequently pass stations on it at full tilt.

To connect Castlemilk to the rail network, if space could be found for a tram line to link up to the Newton branch just after Kings Park station, a tram line could head south towards Castlemilk via Simshill and Croftfoot.

I don't think a full on conversion of the rail network to light rail is necessary, as the rail services running in Glasgow are always on time, at handy times (so long as you don't miss them) and often cheaper than the bus. The limiting factor of some of the lines is a lack of frequent stops like with a bus service, and the heavy rail factor makes it very expensive and impossible, most of the time, to expand the system.

If we could hook up some tram-train tributaries onto the existing network, and introduce a hierarchy of new urban trains, we're onto a winner. There is a goldmine of handy tunnels in the West End, the London Road tunnel provides a passage to the North East, and with rail usage increasing all the time, these links would be very popular if the construction went smoothly.

Just stumbled across this:
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/237293/0065175.pdf

It suggested opening 4 new Commonwealth Games Stations:
1. Scotstoun (Jordanhill West),
2. Kelvinhall (Yorkhill),
3. reopen Glasgow Green (Glasgow Green),
4. reopen Parkhead.

Some recommendations put forward as to what to do before 2014:

3.2
Frequency on Glasgow urban routes to be upgraded to Metro standard.
A new fleet of lighter, high acceleration urban trains would transform inner suburban rail lines into a Metro service.
New fleet would also allowing additional halts at, for instance, Jordanhill West, without extending journey times.

3.4
Journeys involving bus and train will be easier when smartcard tickets are available for all public transport.
Transport integration also needs good interchanges. The upgraded Partick interchange is already well underway.
A new travelator link from St. Enoch Subway to Central station would be most useful.

3.5
Travel information, publicity and signposting to be improved.
Rail services could benefit by more marketing, perhaps rebranded as "ClydeMetro" to reflect higher frequency services

3.6
New stations to improve access to some of the main Games venues.
These would be sited to serve major visitor attractions, regeneration zones, housing developments leaving a lasting legacy.


And also this:
Parkhead and the Clyde Gateway regeneration zone to be reached by reopening the disused Bridgeton-Parkhead railway tunnel, creating a P+R and bus railhead. This could be served by trains via the Argyle line by 2014, but could subsequently be extended as a Light Rail route along London Road through the Clyde Gateway development, and continued into central Glasgow possibly via the disused Bridgeton-High Street rail tunnel. This could be part of a wider strategy to develop a Light Rail network in Glasgow.

This article is old, but it's still interesting to see them talk about Metro rebranding, smartcard tickets and increased services on the Argyle line, Queen Street line and Cathcart circle.

What's the latest with the new stations? Obviously no Parkhead but Yorkhill, Glasgow Green and Jordanhill are already on the current line, they would just need platforms and station buildings. A Yorkhill station would be fantastic for me!!

Yeah, it's definitely something that is seen as beneficial for Glasgow, and it's something that has been discussed at that level, so it's not just us who talk about it on SSC.

We'll have our system at some point in the next decade I reckon.

I saw one of those massive new shiny Seimens trains (the ones that'l serve the main Edinburgh-Glasgow line once it's electrified) on Cathcart Circle service sitting at Maxwell Park today! I do realise it was rush hour, and they probably pull in a few odd trains to make up capacity, but it just seemed like complete overkill serving such a line with such frequent stops. I hope they don't replace the 314's that currently serve the line with these, they just aren't 'urban' enough.

The Cathcart Circle would benefit greatly from trains that can accelerate as fast as the ones they use on the Subway. Journey times would be cut by quite a bit! They should have a good mix of sideways and conventional seating with plenty of floor space.

I saw one of those massive new shiny Seimens trains (the ones that'l serve the main Edinburgh-Glasgow line once it's electrified) on Cathcart Circle service sitting at Maxwell Park today! I do realise it was rush hour, and they probably pull in a few odd trains to make up capacity, but it just seemed like complete overkill serving such a line with such frequent stops. I hope they don't replace the 314's that currently serve the line with these, they just aren't 'urban' enough.

The Cathcart Circle would benefit greatly from trains that can accelerate as fast as the ones they use on the Subway. Journey times would be cut by quite a bit! They should have a good mix of sideways and conventional seating with plenty of floor space.

Oi, you.

What's stopping them putting light rail on the Cathcart Circle and speeding things up?

I just got linked to this: http://www.scotrail.co.uk/smartcard/account/login

Is this a new page? Or related to the Glasgow/Edinburgh trial?

EDIT: Stand down. Seems it's just the EDI-GLQ trial, but the page doesn't say. I got a bit excited when I couldn't see any mention of it being a trial. Thought it was a bigger roll-out!

I just got linked to this: http://www.scotrail.co.uk/smartcard/account/login

Is this a new page? Or related to the Glasgow/Edinburgh trial?

Must be the Oister Card style tech. "SmartCard". Ingenious :doh:

I just signed up there, then read it's GLA-EDI only.. well it's a start.

ET (http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/station-upgrade-is-just-the-ticket.17601900)

Station upgrade is just the ticket

GLASGOW commuters were able to buy a train ticket for the first time at their local railway station as part of £500,000 of improvements by ScotRail.

Machines have been installed at 21 stations across the west of Scotland, including eight which have never had the facility before.

Rail passengers at King's Park Station in Glasgow were able to use credit and debit cards yesterday to buy tickets for the first time along with commuters at Hairmyres in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, and Giffnock, East Renfrewshire.

The other card-only vending machines are to be installed over the next few weeks at stations across Glasgow – Bellgrove, Burnside, Carntyne, Partick, Shettleston, Pollokshaws West and Pollokshields East.

Other upgraded stations are Bellshill, Coatdyke in Coatbridge and Croy, all North Lanarkshire; East Kilbride, Rutherglen and Carluke in South Lanarkshire; Thornliebank and Whitecraigs in Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, Dumbarton East and Hillfoot in Bears-den, East Dunbartonshire, and Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire.

ScotRail's commercial director Sean Duffy said: "The touch-screen machine will make a real difference for our customers in Strathclyde by making it faster and easier to buy tickets."

ET (http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/station-upgrade-is-just-the-ticket.17601900)

Station upgrade is just the ticket

GLASGOW commuters were able to buy a train ticket for the first time at their local railway station as part of £500,000 of improvements by ScotRail.

Machines have been installed at 21 stations across the west of Scotland, including eight which have never had the facility before.

Rail passengers at King's Park Station in Glasgow were able to use credit and debit cards yesterday to buy tickets for the first time along with commuters at Hairmyres in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, and Giffnock, East Renfrewshire.

The other card-only vending machines are to be installed over the next few weeks at stations across Glasgow – Bellgrove, Burnside, Carntyne, Partick, Shettleston, Pollokshaws West and Pollokshields East.

Other upgraded stations are Bellshill, Coatdyke in Coatbridge and Croy, all North Lanarkshire; East Kilbride, Rutherglen and Carluke in South Lanarkshire; Thornliebank and Whitecraigs in Giffnock, East Renfrewshire, Dumbarton East and Hillfoot in Bears-den, East Dunbartonshire, and Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire.

ScotRail's commercial director Sean Duffy said: "The touch-screen machine will make a real difference for our customers in Strathclyde by making it faster and easier to buy tickets."

Thats great. These small improvements really do help. Anyone know if these machines have are compatible with any future smartcard upgrade?

Having the machines at Pollokshaws East is great.. But at Pollokshaws West, it's been sitting in it's box for months now.

http://i47.servimg.com/u/f47/14/07/60/84/img_0110.jpg (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=318&u=14076084)

Event that was held a few weeks back about the Blue Badge Eligibility

Nvhg4ZCbBFI

Event that was held a few weeks back about the Blue Badge Eligibility

Nvhg4ZCbBFI

glad to hear abt this

Having the machines at Pollokshaws East is great.. But at Pollokshaws West, it's been sitting in it's box for months now.


Same story at Largs :bash:

Thats great. These small improvements really do help. Anyone know if these machines have are compatible with any future smartcard upgrade?

I'm not sure if they need to be - the Scotrail stations that are smartcard compatible have separate 'swipe points'. You can see these at most ticket gates as well.

I guess at some point the machines could dish out smart cards though.

I remember having a really hard time getting a touch screen to work for me during the winter. It was a really cold night, and it wasn't registering my presses..

Hmmm can see the whole smartcard thing goin on to the Phone apps in the near future.

Smart & Integrated Ticketing Report for Scotland (http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/strategy-and-research/publications-and-consultations/j13684-00.htm)



■Smart ticketing can achieve savings in dwell times, journey times and ticket buying times;
■Full take-up of smart ticketing by passengers and operators;
■The time gap between spending on equipment and achievement of full benefits is short;
■The risks of the project are successfully managed;
■Smart ticketing can work in a variety of market situations (or that market situations change to accommodate smart ticketing); and
■Operators and Authorities can work together to produce integrated IT and back office functions."

I'm not sure if they need to be - the Scotrail stations that are smartcard compatible have separate 'swipe points'. You can see these at most ticket gates as well.

I guess at some point the machines could dish out smart cards though.

You need to use a machine to add a ticket or top up your card. The stand alone scanners are only to touch in or out at the beginning or end of the journey.

Same story at Largs :bash:

1 ticket machine per station. are they kidding?

You need to use a machine to add a ticket or top up your card.
I hope not, because that's kind of stunted. Much more useful if it's like the Oyster system, which can automatically top up the card when you're running low.

Nevis Technologies (http://www.ecebs.com/nevis-technologies-a251)


http://www.ecebs.com/images/stories/smartphone_300x250.jpg


Nevis Technologies is a joint venture company between Ecebs and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT). The company is the delivery agent for smart integrated ticketing in the SPT area and brings together a depth of expertise from both the transport and smart technology industries.
SPT and Ecebs will deliver services providing a fully integrated smart ticketing scheme that can be used on multiple modes of travel including Subway, Bus, Ferry and Rail. The systems are fully compliant to the U.K. Department for Transport standard ITSO and include a full suite of Ecebs' Paragon components including HOPS, Card Management System, smart cards, web-based retail interface and remote ticket download capabilities.
The smart integrated ticketing system benefits travellers by allowing them to travel across the Strathclyde region with one smart ticket. The introduction of multi-application smart cards and smart media means that one card or mobile device can be used for integrated ticketing and electronic payment.
The Nevis Technologies system will be introduced on the Glasgow Subway in 2013 ready for the Commonwealth Games in 2014. In addition a roll out is planned on all modes of public transport to make travelling throughout the Strathclyde region more convenient for passengers, delivering a customer experience to rival many of the smart transport schemes deployed around the world today.
The company structure will create further opportunities to develop a smart media roll out throughout the whole of Scotland similar to London's Oyster card scheme, meaning we are a step closer to a smart future for Scottish transport

NFC Technologies

p8xLzOvgn6U




www.spt.co.uk (http://www.spt.co.uk/documents/rtp300312_minute.pdf) (8 Pages)

SPT latest minutes (http://www.spt.co.uk/partnership/minutes/latest.php)

1 ticket machine per station. are they kidding?

At Croy, they've just added one of the new machines, taking the total to 3 machines there, all of which have smartcard compatibility, there's also been the wee machines where you scan the card at the start/end of your journey, added onto the platforms. Seems quite well set up on the Glasgow - Edinburgh via Croy line from what I've seen. :)

there's also been the wee machines where you scan the card at the start/end of your journey, added onto the platforms.

Oh, they've been quiet about that one.

I hope not, because that's kind of stunted. Much more useful if it's like the Oyster system, which can automatically top up the card when you're running low.

You can also buy season tickets online for your smartcard. For the moment it needs to be remembered that this is still a pilot, so as far as I know there will capability to do this when the scheme is properly launched.

Also at the moment you cannot buy one off tickets or have money on the card as it is only trialling with season tickets.

These stations getting the new ticket machines.... Are they staffed or staffed stations?

Mixture of both I think - of the stations I see them at on the Newton/Cathcart Circle lines, some are currently unmanned, whilst some have limited opening hours (Burnside's ticket office, for example, is only staffed till mid-afternoon, if I recall).

The two stations I use, which have ticket machines, - Pollokshaws East (on the Cathcart Circle) and Pollokshaws West (on the South Western line), are both unmanned.

Ive seen a lot of these Ticket Machine Boxes around , im surprised they leave them out like that .

How will they enforce the touch in/out system at stations without putting ticket barriers up at station entrances?

How will they enforce the touch in/out system at stations without putting ticket barriers up at station entrances?

Same as the do on the DLR I'd imagine. Ticket inspectors have card readers. If you ain't touched in you get a fine.if you don't touch out you'll be charged a full fare. Doesn't really apply to season tickets though as long as you're on the correct line.

New shelter @ Hyndland rail station, Image by Mungo Dundas from HG.

http://moblog.net/media/f/i/n/finnieston/moblog_965732-1.jpg

H&K CC (http://www.communitycouncilsglasgow.org.uk/DHKCC/PlainText/PlainText.aspx?SectionId=a33ab4ad-c20a-4b22-9624-633b8fb7c726)


HYNDLAND RAILWAY STATION UPGRADE PROPOSALS
Network Rail is upgrading 2 entrances to this station with new lifts / new stairs, and is also planning a new platform on the Gartnavel side

New shelter @ Hyndland rail station, Image by Mungo Dundas from HG.


http://moblog.net/media/f/i/n/finnieston/moblog_965732-1.jpg

H&K CC (http://www.communitycouncilsglasgow.org.uk/DHKCC/PlainText/PlainText.aspx?SectionId=a33ab4ad-c20a-4b22-9624-633b8fb7c726)


HYNDLAND RAILWAY STATION UPGRADE PROPOSALS

Network Rail is upgrading 2 entrances to this station with new lifts / new stairs, and is also planning a new platform on the Gartnavel side


If you read Glasgow City Council's response to Network Rail's planning application (linked to on that page) you'll see that some people objected on the grounds that cutting down trees and the building work itself will cause noise. I cannot fathom the selfishness. It just seems to be "ME ME ME ME ME and screw everyone else".

Isn't Hyndland rail in the middle of a council house estate? I seem to remember it being in an area you totally wouldn't expect.

Aye, from Hyndland Rd go all the way down Clarence Drive, under the railway bridge round past the Mail sorting office and up into the council estate, and there is a wee passage
between two houses.

Inconspicuous station entrance.

Even more so is the other way, go down Clarence Drive but cut up to your right before you go under the rail bridge, there's a wee tunnel on Hayburn Lane that takes you into Hyndland Station.

Aye, from Hyndland Rd go all the way down Clarence Drive, under the railway bridge round past the Mail sorting office and up into the council estate, and there is a wee passage
between two houses.

Inconspicuous station entrance.

Even more so is the other way, go down Clarence Drive but cut up to your right before you go under the rail bridge, there's a wee tunnel on Hayburn Lane that takes you into Hyndland Station.

Loving that you are referring to Churchill Drive in Broomhill, where houses sell for over £200k (http://www.gspc.co.uk/property/197764/) as a 'council estate'.

Loving that you are referring to Churchill Drive in Broomhill, where houses sell for over £200k (http://www.gspc.co.uk/property/197764/) as a 'council estate'.

I think the most notable feature of the houses is the fact they are obviously ex-council houses, no?

I think the most notable feature of the houses is the fact they are obviously ex-council houses, no?

Yeah, they look similar to the housing out at Blairdardie which I think was a council estate but they also look like the Stonedyke development out at Spey Road in Bearsden which was always a private estate. I suppose I continue to be surprised to discover ex-council estates that look like pleasant, desirable places to live.

Are you serious! £200k!

They look exactly like the houses where I grew up, pleasant enough area with some tree lined streets, the rows of 'cookie cutter houses' made me assume it was a council estate.

Are you serious! £200k!

They look exactly like the houses where I grew up, pleasant enough area with some tree lined streets, the rows of 'cookie cutter houses' made me assume it was a council estate.

It was a council estate, but they are practically all purchased.

It was a council estate, but they are practically all purchased.

Are you sure Churchill Drive was a council estate? I was really confused reading this as at first I thought Queensborough Gardens was being referred to as a council estate!

If you read Glasgow City Council's response to Network Rail's planning application (linked to on that page) you'll see that some people objected on the grounds that cutting down trees and the building work itself will cause noise. I cannot fathom the selfishness. It just seems to be "ME ME ME ME ME and screw everyone else".

I'm hardly surprised by that. There was a fair bit of objection to building the new housing development in Hayburn Lane if I remember correctly.

Hyndland isn't exactly a barren waste with few green spaces and not a tree to be seen.

Are you sure Churchill Drive was a council estate? I was really confused reading this as at first I thought Queensborough Gardens was being referred to as a council estate!

I'm talking about the estate to the west of Hyndland station. The east of the station, past Gartnaval is defo not council estate.

Rode on one of those new class 380 trains. The air con was a god send!

Rode on one of those new class 380 trains. The air con was a god send!

Indeed!

Stepped onto one at Glasgow central and it was like being abroad... ahhh air con...

Stepped back off again at Gilmour Street to oh no hair dryer effect from the heat!

ATKINS PICKS UP SCOTTISH DESIGN AWARD FOR 2014 GAMES ‘GATEWAY’ TRAIN STATION

http://www.constructionnow.co.uk/enews/images/Dalmarnock_Station.JPG


Dalmarnock Station in Glasgow has been named Best Proposed Project at the Scottish Design Awards last week at a ceremony held in Glasgow.

Atkins’ multidisciplinary team has designed a radical upgrade to Dalmarnock Station, the primary transport hub for Glasgow’s Commonwealth Games in 2014.

The station will be completely remodelled, with a replacement footbridge, platform upgrades, new ticket office and step-free access, whilst creating a safer station environment with improved lighting and CCTV.

Stan Doyle, Regional Director, Atkins said: “We are thrilled to be involved with Dalmarnock’s emerging reconnection to the city through the transformation of the present rail station into an important piece of public architecture.’

“This Scottish Design Award is fantastic news for the team; their vision for a new station environment has been recognised before it has even become a reality.”

The new station enclosure is seen as a sheer, translucent skin representing a delicate counterpoint to the familiar textures of the original stone and brick. The contrast in materials helps each retain their integrity and allows a 21st Century layer to continue the visible evolution of the station.

Serving three key venues for the sporting event; the new National Indoor Sports Arena, Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Celtic Park, the redevelopment will allow a functional and striking civic building to emerge, able to inspire passengers while repairing the stations’ relationship to both the local area and city wide Glasgow contexts.

The Scottish Design Awards celebrate design talent in Scotland, from graphics to architecture.

www.atkinsglobal.co.uk

New shelter @ Hyndland rail station, Image by Mungo Dundas from HG.

http://moblog.net/media/f/i/n/finnieston/moblog_965732-1.jpg

H&K CC (http://www.communitycouncilsglasgow.org.uk/DHKCC/PlainText/PlainText.aspx?SectionId=a33ab4ad-c20a-4b22-9624-633b8fb7c726)


HYNDLAND RAILWAY STATION UPGRADE PROPOSALS
Network Rail is upgrading 2 entrances to this station with new lifts / new stairs, and is also planning a new platform on the Gartnavel side

From what I remember of Hyndland in the 90s it seemed to be the busiest platform in the area(with it being an island platform - it seemed busier than Partick although it has the same number of trains passing through).

Dalmarnock station will be closed from Sunday, June 3, until Sunday, November 25, as work continues to create a new £11m facility for passengers.

Network Rail is building a new station on Dalmarnock Road to replace the existing facility on Swanston Street and the temporary closure of the station is needed to ensure these works can be delivered in a safe and secure way.

The station will reopen to passengers on Monday, November 26, and the redevelopment project will be completed by late 2013. The station is being redeveloped in time for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, when it will be a key transport hub for those travelling to and from many of the Games’ events.

ScotRail is advising its customers to use either Bridgeton station (half-a-mile to the north-west) of Dalmarnock or Rutherglen station (one mile to the south-east). Season tickets for Dalmarnock can be used at either of these alternative stations.

David Simpson, Network Rail route managing director for Scotland, said: “Once complete the new Dalmarnock station will greatly enhance facilities for regular passengers and provide an impressive welcome for visitors to the area, especially those attending the 2014 Games.

“Due to the extensive and complex nature of the project it is not possible to deliver the new station without a short closure of the existing facility, but every effort has been made to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.”

Steve Montgomery, ScotRail’s managing director, added: “We hope that relaxing our ticket arrangements will help limit the impact these important works have upon our customers at Dalmarnock.”

Once finished the station will have:
•A new, fully-accessible station building (relocated to Dalmarnock Road from Swanston Street)
•Lift access to both platforms
•A new pedestrian footbridge
•New platform surfaces
•New wall cladding on both platforms
•New customer information and communication systems

The project is being funded by Clyde Gateway, Glasgow City Council and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, with an additional contribution secured through the European Regional Development Fund.

Network Rail is delivering the project on behalf of Transport Scotland and the funding partners.

http://io9.com/5915280/this-propeller+powered-monorail-would-have-linked-london-to-paris

From what I remember of Hyndland in the 90s it seemed to be the busiest platform in the area(with it being an island platform - it seemed busier than Partick although it has the same number of trains passing through).


The idea (as encouraged by tannoy announcements) was that you 'changed trains' at Partick if you needed to change at all, but many folk including myself would change at Hynland instead to avoid the crowd, it might have 'seemed' busier to you as it was only a single platform and was perhaps an unusually busy little station, but I can assure you that Partick had far more people on either platform than Hyland had as a whole.

The idea (as encouraged by tannoy announcements) was that you 'changed trains' at Partick if you needed to change at all, but many folk including myself would change at Hynland instead to avoid the crowd, it might have 'seemed' busier to you as it was only a single platform and was perhaps an unusually busy little station, but I can assure you that Partick had far more people on either platform than Hyland had as a whole.

There was more at Partick i guess with the Safeways, Bus station, Underground and more population.

I was meaning more about the train traffic.

Re development of Queen Street
Glasgow’s Queen Street station will be significantly re-modelled and upgraded to improve it operationally and to enhance the aesthetic and amenity for travelling customers.
The proposals currently envisage extending platforms 2-7 to accommodate 6 carriage trains. Additionally, the concourse will be extended out to George Square, adding a mezzanine level and new frontage and generally improving the ambience as well as facilities in the station for passengers.
.We envisage work begining in May 2013 and will be complete by winter 2013

http://egip-consultation.co.uk/location/glasgow-queen-street

This will be a massive improvement to the town in that area. Can't wait!

The proposals currently envisage extending platforms 2-7 to accommodate 6 carriage trains

http://egip-consultation.co.uk/location/glasgow-queen-street
Platforms 2-7 already accomodate 6 carriage trains, whats new?

Platforms 2-7 already accomodate 6 carriage trains, whats new?

Only 2,6 and 7 can at the moment. Platforms 3-5 can only accomodate 5 carriage trains.

Re development of Queen Street
Glasgow’s Queen Street station will be significantly re-modelled and upgraded to improve it operationally and to enhance the aesthetic and amenity for travelling customers.
The proposals currently envisage extending platforms 2-7 to accommodate 6 carriage trains. Additionally, the concourse will be extended out to George Square, adding a mezzanine level and new frontage and generally improving the ambience as well as facilities in the station for passengers.
.We envisage work begining in May 2013 and will be complete by winter 2013

http://egip-consultation.co.uk/location/glasgow-queen-street


They're going to demolish the hotel in front of the station, construct the new glass building, and remodel the platforms in 6 months? That's ambitious.

They're going to demolish the hotel in front of the station, construct the new glass building, and remodel the platforms in 6 months? That's ambitious.

It certainly is, though I have serious admiration for their ambition to electrify so many lines as part of EGIP: over 300km of electrification between Edinburgh, Dumblane and Glasgow!

EGIP map with timescales:http://egip-consultation.co.uk/programme

They're going to demolish the hotel in front of the station, construct the new glass building, and remodel the platforms in 6 months? That's ambitious.

So it's a bye-bye to the Copthorne, then?

Got to admit the front entrance isn't impressive with steps under a modern building overhanging.

Any artist impressions?

Part of the Millenium Hotel will be demolished (the modern part), the older part will remain. The new entrance is a huge improvement on what's there at the moment.

http://www.thedrum.co.uk/uploads/drum_basic_article/75400/main_images/master.Queen_St_revamp.jpg

That does look much better in my opinion, will be impressed if they can get it up quickly.

It will be good to get rid of the Grey slab thats been there for the last few decades and get the lovey arched glass facade back again, a fantastic coloured lighting scheme and etchings on the new and existing glass facade is needed please.

Also ideas to do something great with that blank gable end ?


:)

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1235/1345369627_c7b59ded33_b.jpg

Also ideas to do something great with that blank gable end ?



Prepare for a billboard.

In 6 months?!

What a difference it'll make, though.

Ultima, that's not actually a bad idea - bunch of video screens on that wall would look quite cool. Our own little Times Square or Piccadilly Circus.

LAWL.

Ultima, that's not actually a bad idea - bunch of video screens on that wall would look quite cool. Our own little Times Square or Piccadilly Circus.

"Glasgow's answer to..."

Looks amazing. Hope you get it built soon!

Really hope we get the 3 full size trees inside the concourse!

Also ideas to do something great with that blank gable end ?
A big Irn Bru sign? :)



James H

A big Irn Bru sign? :)



James H


Like the one that used to be above the central station ?


http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/8718/irnbru2bf6.jpg

They put a screen back up in that position though.

Glasgow's answer to times square, with Glasgow's answer to trams running by, and Glasgow's answer to the London Eye round the corner..

They put a screen back up in that position though.

Glasgow's answer to times square, with Glasgow's answer to trams running by, and Glasgow's answer to the London Eye round the corner..


Kinda like the one on Buchanan Street :lol:

George Square's answer to Buchanan Street's Glasgow's answer to Times Square.

The new Queen Street looks like the dogs danglies, is it definitely happening and if so when is it due to be completed?

@ uberteeb -

Re development of Queen Street
Glasgow’s Queen Street station will be significantly re-modelled and upgraded to improve it operationally and to enhance the aesthetic and amenity for travelling customers.
The proposals currently envisage extending platforms 2-7 to accommodate 6 carriage trains. Additionally, the concourse will be extended out to George Square, adding a mezzanine level and new frontage and generally improving the ambience as well as facilities in the station for passengers.
.We envisage work begining in May 2013 and will be complete by winter 2013

http://egip-consultation.co.uk/location/glasgow-queen-street

cant wait to see this completed Geo-Sq needs a face lift too that red tarmac has got to go...

Will the low level Station entrance on the side street (Montrose?) also get a glazed facelift too?

cant wait to see this completed Geo-Sq needs a face lift too that red tarmac has got to go...

Been saying that for ever!Its pathetic!:bash:

Will the low level Station entrance on the side street (Montrose?) also get a glazed facelift too?

You mean the entrance that joins onto the Subway station?

no not the Buchanan street entrance. the other entrance on the other side of queen street station opposite the college of building and printing.

no not the Buchanan street entrance. the other entrance on the other side of queen street station opposite the college of building and printing.

That area currently has a surface car park. There will be a multi-storey car park built on top of it to replace the nearby shopping centre car park, which will be demolished if I remember correctly. I think that's a good indication that this entrance will be done up.

That area currently has a surface car park. There will be a multi-storey car park built on top of it to replace the nearby shopping centre car park, which will be demolished if I remember correctly. I think that's a good indication that this entrance will be done up.

Cheers Calum

Re development of Queen Street
Glasgow’s Queen Street station will be significantly re-modelled and upgraded to improve it operationally and to enhance the aesthetic and amenity for travelling customers.
The proposals currently envisage extending platforms 2-7 to accommodate 6 carriage trains. Additionally, the concourse will be extended out to George Square, adding a mezzanine level and new frontage and generally improving the ambience as well as facilities in the station for passengers.
.We envisage work begining in May 2013 and will be complete by winter 2013

http://egip-consultation.co.uk/location/glasgow-queen-street
I wonder if they've ever given consideration to removing the building that's built on the southern part of Platform 1 and re-extending it? It can currently fit a 3-car turbostar so extending it they'd be able to fit 4-car and 5-car units.

Also, they could maybe fit in another platform next to Platform 1 as there used to be two sidings there back in the early 1980s.

Before the building was added
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v113/james73/urbang/queenstreet/37112_Glasgow_Queen_Street_13-4-84.jpg

After it was built and the sidings uplifted
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v113/james73/urbang/queenstreet/platform12.jpg


James H

New connection for Scotland’s trains

http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/themes/transport_scotland_directorate/images/TSLogo.png


19 June 2012

Transport Minister Keith Brown today launched a £250,000 Wi-Fi trial to give customers free web access on ScotRail’s busiest commuter route.

Mr Brown went online at Glasgow’s Queen Street station after boarding one of four Class 170 trains that ScotRail has fitted with digital communications systems.

Customers will enjoy faster access to email, internet and social media sites on one in ten of the Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen Street (via Falkirk High) services while the systems are piloted. Other lines are also likely to benefit through the trial, which has been welcomed by business leaders.

The move is the first step towards the Scottish Government’s long-term goal of rolling out Wi-Fi throughout Scotland, allowing passengers online access during their journey... continues @ Transport Scotland (http://www.transportscotland.gov.uk/news/Wi-Fi-trial-launched)

Found this ad for GGPTE which was before SPT must be a 70s ad methinks.



http://glasgowtransport.co.uk/argue.jpg

So did the ladyboy ever get her Transcard?

This could be one of those things that I have walked by a hundred times and never noticed, but...

When did those manky barriers go up at the main entrance to Central? If they have been there for years then I'm worried at how I could have walked passed and not noticed them. If they are new, they are ghastly, awful looking barriers that ruin the entrance.

This could be one of those things that I have walked by a hundred times and never noticed, but...

When did those manky barriers go up at the main entrance to Central? If they have been there for years then I'm worried at how I could have walked passed and not noticed them. If they are new, they are ghastly, awful looking barriers that ruin the entrance.

Which barriers? At the central LL? Don't get me started.

Which barriers? At the central LL? Don't get me started.

Huge steel gates at the main entrance to Central on Gordon Street.

Huge steel gates at the main entrance to Central on Gordon Street.

They are temporary. According to a sign in the station, the original gates are being refurbished.

They are temporary. According to a sign in the station, the original gates are being refurbished.

That's good to hear. Thanks!