Download Byelaws Consultation Pack [PDF]

Any person affected by either set of byelaws may make representations about them to Transport Scotland, in relation to the new byelaws, and to the Department for Transport in relation to the proposed revocation of the existing byelaws.

The period for making representations will end on 15 June 2012.

Representations may be sent in writing to Transport Scotland at joanne.gray@transportscotland.gsi.gov.uk.

The restriction will cover travel on ScotRail services in Strathclyde between 1630 and 1800 Monday to Friday.

The decision was agreed by the Concession Joint Committee (which operates on behalf of 12 west of Scotland member councils) and followed discussions with ScotRail on options that would help reduce the cost of the scheme. Statistics show that 83% of rail concession is currently outside the daily commuting period.

It is worth noting that despite rail fares increasing by around 6% in the current financial year, the concessionary fare remains the same.”

The committee also agreed that the concessionary fares would be held at current levels – 80p single or £1.20 return for journeys up to 10 miles, and with a 50% discount for longer journeys within the Scheme area.

A Joint Committee spokesperson said: “The decision to restrict the use of concessionary rail travel during peak commuting periods was not an easy one but is necessary. Every public organisation is working within tight budgets at the moment. We have a duty to make sure we are doing everything we can to ensure the long term viability of the scheme, where the costs continue to rise. We believe it is a valuable local supplement to the national bus scheme and remains the most beneficial local scheme within Scotland.

“It is also worth noting that despite rail fares increasing by around 6% in the current financial year, the concessionary fare remains the same.”

ScotRail has agreed to implement the evening peak restriction which now makes it consistent with other rail concessions in Scotland.

A ScotRail spokesperson said: “Some 100,000 information leaflets about the change have been distributed at stations as it is important that we highlight the change to our customers so they can plan accordingly.

Subway travel is unaffected by the change. Restrictions do not apply on National Public Holidays. Nor do they apply to those with proof of a hospital appointment, holders of a disabled concession card, those who hold a valid ferry card or those travelling to/from Maybole, Girvan and Barrhill on DIRECT services.

The event, which was held to promote the use of the network’s free wi-fi, saw hunters travel round 15 stations looking out for the barcode-type clues.

Once scanned by smartphone, they led players to the secret winning station at Partick where they checked in on the Glasgow Subway Kids Go Free Facebook page to enter a prize draw.

Winning an iPad was a brilliant added bonus and I’m over the moon – we’ll definitely be looking out for more events like this in the future.”

Emily Watt

Clues were also pushed out during the event through the Subway’s hugely popular Twitter account @GlasgowSubway.

The Watts family from Glasgow were among those taking part and mother-of-one Emily’s name was first out the hat in our bumper prize draw.

She won our top prize of a brand new iPad courtesy of the Subway wi-fi provider The Cloud.

Emily said: “We had a great day out on the Subway hunt. My two-year-old son Adam loved looking out for the QR Codes and my husband Rob was keeping an eye on Twitter for clues.

“We love using the Subway to travel around Glasgow and this kind of event was a fun way to hop off at the stations we don’t normally see.

“Winning an iPad was a brilliant added bonus and I’m over the moon – we’ll definitely be looking out for more events like this in the future.”

Other prizes given away on the day included tickets to see One Direction, Kevin Bridges and Dancing on Ice at the SECC thanks to TicketSOUP.com; Cirque du Ciel tickets; meals for two; a Hampden stadium tour; Subway merchandise; goodie bags and free travel tickets.

Airlink, which operates Kelvinbridge, Shields Road and Bridge Street car parks on behalf of Subway owner Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), is offering new customers this promotion throughout May.

To take advantage of the discount, just enter the promotional code PR54 when booking a season ticket.

As an added bonus, those taking advantage of this latest offer will also be automatically entered into a prize draw for a slap up meal for two at the Shandon Belles restaurant in Glasgow.

The draw will be made on completion of May’s car parking offer and the winner will be notified by Tuesday 5th June.

The new service 118A will operate from Monday 30 April while new long term arrangements are sought.

SPT Chief Executive Gordon Maclennan said: “We know how important local bus services are to people in the communities they serve and we are delighted to have been able to keep this service operating.”

The 118A will be operated by McColl’s Coaches Ltd as an hourly Monday to Saturday service.

It will run between Milngavie Station and Anniesland via Park Road in Milngavie, Baljaffray Shops, Ledi Drive in Bearsden, and the Switchback at Canniesburn Toll.

The new route replaces the First Glasgow service 11 between Baljaffray and Anniesland and the First Glasgow service 119 between Milngavie and Anniesland, both of which will be withdrawn after Sat 28 April.

View the 118A timetable here.

Airlink, which is contracted by SPT to operate three Park and Ride sites across Glasgow, is introducing the new scheme to encourage people to commute into the city, reducing congestion at peak times.

The initiative is also designed to save passengers money while encouraging a greater uptake in public transport. Issued as either four, 12 or 24 week passes, the tickets can provide up to 40% savings for commuters.

SPT chief executive Gordon Maclennan, said: “SPT has long championed the use of Park and Ride to positively change travel behaviour and get people out of their cars on to public transport.

“Not only can using the Subway Park and Ride facilities ease the daily commute, they also go a long way towards reducing congestion and carbon emissions in Glasgow.”

We all know how expensive car parking in the city centre can be. So why not park up and jump on to the Subway.

John McGlynn, Airlink Chairman

The Subway’s Park and Ride sites are Bridge Street, Kelvinbridge and Shields Road with all three located just minutes from the heart of Glasgow.

Airlink chairman John McGlynn said: “We need car parking alternatives such as this to give more options to our customers.

“We all know how expensive car parking in the city centre can be. So why not park up and jump on to the Subway. It is a quick ride in to town and at less than £2 a day to park we believe the season ticket is an affordable and convenient solution.”

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stuart Patrick said: “Reducing congestion and encouraging public transport usage are key priorities for Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, highlighted by our endorsement of the city’s bid to become European Green Capital City 2015.”

Season tickets for the Subway’s Park and Ride sites are available online and can be topped up at any of SPT’s Park and Ride pay stations.

Picture above (l-r) are John McGlynn, Gordon Maclennan and Stuart Patrick.

SPT’s Strategy & Programmes Committee committed over £1.3 million to the major transport project in January and North Lanarkshire Council is now set to carry out the development.

Motherwell station will get one new car park at St Vincent Place accommodating 62 vehicles while another will be built in Elm Street holding 126 spaces.

It’s a proven fact that providing car parking spaces in the right place can positively change travel behaviour and encourage public transport use – something we at SPT work hard to do.”

Gordon McLennan, SPT Chief Executive

A 127-space facility will also be constructed at Foundry Road in Shotts.

SPT chief executive Gordon Maclennan said: “SPT has blazed a trail for the development of park and ride sites with our partner councils across Strathclyde.

“It’s a proven fact that providing car parking spaces in the right place can positively change travel behaviour and encourage public transport use – something we at SPT work hard to do.

“Not only can sites such as these ease the daily commute, they also go a long way towards reducing congestion and carbon emissions in the local area which is why I’m delighted we are providing this funding and working in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council to deliver projects as important as these.”

The Park and Rides in Motherwell and Shotts are the latest to be built in partnership with North Lanarkshire Council after similar projects at Gartcosh, Croy, Bellshill and Greenfaulds.

North Lanarkshire Council’s Head of Roads and Transportation Graham MacKay said: “Our rail network and its stations are of great importance to local people and the local economy, as they provide valuable access to employment and education opportunities.

“The Shotts car park will cater for the increased parking demand as a result of the introduction of express services.

“In Motherwell, commuters are parking in the town centre car parks and the introduction of two new park and ride car parks should free up badly needed spaces for shoppers which, we hope, will help increase footfall and improve the local economy in the town centre.”

Following extensive preparatory and enabling works, Network Rail and contractors 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.

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

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.”

Gordon Maclennan, SPT Chief Executive

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
• A new pedestrian footbridge
• New platform surfaces
• New wall cladding on both platforms
• 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.

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.

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 the Glasgow’s East End for years after.”

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.”

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.”

Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member for the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow City Council, 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.”

There are some great family prizes to give away including a top prize of an iPad3 (worth £399) courtesy of The Cloud and tickets to great Glasgow gigs at the SECC including One Direction, Kevin Bridges and Dancing on Ice thanks to ticketSOUP.com.

Cirque du Ciel tickets, meals for two, Hampden stadium tours, exclusive Subway merchandise, free tickets and goodie bags will also be up for grabs.

Anyone can take part in the event, which is being run by Subway operator SPT on Easter Monday (9th April) between 12-2pm, as part of the network’s Kids Go Free promotion.

A QR Code is a type of bar code which can be scanned using a smartphone to reveal a web page. Codes will be on display throughout the Subway network on Easter Monday, but only some will carry treasure hunt clues.

These will lead players to a winning station where they can check in on the Glasgow Subway Kids Go Free Facebook page and enter the main prize draw.

Further clues will also be found on the Glasgow Subway’s hugely popular Twitter account @glasgowsubway.

SPT Chairman Jonathan Findlay said: “Easter is a great time for family fun and we hope to see lots of players take part in this innovative treasure hunt.

“With our Kids Go Free offer running, there’s no better or cheaper way for families to travel around the city, and there are some amazing prizes on offer too. I want to wish everyone who takes part lots of luck.”

Martin Callaghan, Marketing Executive at ticketSOUP.com said: “We’re proud to support SPT on this venture and hope that the many kids and families that take part in the treasure hunt have a great time.

“Easter is very much a time for families and we’re delighted to be able to help promote family fun on the Glasgow Subway.”

Roger Matthews, Sales and Marketing Director at The Cloud, said: “This competition promises to be huge fun for families and it’s great that we’re able to support a partner like the Glasgow Subway with this kind of innovative use of public access wi-fi.”

Click here for details on how to play.

You can also win exclusive Subway merchandise by taking part in our Kids Go Free survey.

The award of a contract worth £472,475 to Balvac Ltd was given the go-ahead at a meeting of SPT’s Strategy & Programmes Committee on Friday (23 March).

It will see waterproofing work carried out in 115-year-old tunnels between the network’s Kelvinhall and Partick Stations later this year.

This section of the 10 kilometre route is among the worst for water ingress due to old worked coal seams and fractured rock.

This is a significant amount of funding and it will be targeted at improving the worst hit area of our Subway tunnels

Jonathan Findlay, SPT Chairman

The spend forms part of £20-£25million which has been committed over the next four to five years ‘behind the scenes’ to improve the Subway’s tunnels, brickwork and track bed.

It forms part of network owner SPT’s wider modernisation plans that will eventually see the delivery of refurbished stations, new trains and smart card tickets.

Work is expected to get under way in May and will be complete by autumn this year.

SPT Chairman Jonathan Findlay said:

“This is a significant amount of funding and it will be targeted at improving the worst hit area of our Subway tunnels for water ingress.

“SPT’s subway modernisation programme is not just about stations and trains, but about ensuring infrastructure – and that includes our tunnels – can stand the test of time for generations to come.

“Keeping the Subway operational is key and that’s why work to inject tunnel linings with water proofing materials will happen through the night, making sure passengers travelling through the day aren’t affected.

“Massive changes are coming down the line for the Subway and we’re committing millions to that. However the importance of ‘behind the scenes’ work like this shouldn’t be underestimated.”