Glasgow Subway now accepts contactless payments on its ticket gates.  SPT has spent the last few months installing and testing contactless Pay As You Go (PAYG) payments in the Subway and is now reporting that the new ticket payment option is good to go.

Ticketing manager Michael Nimmo said:

“The introduction of contactless enables customers to travel using the convenience of a debit card, credit card or mobile wallet while also benefitting from daily and weekly price caps.  Customers will be able to simply tap through the Subway gates with a payment card or mobile wallet, and their card will be charged depending on the number of journeys made.

“They will either be charged for a single or return journey – any additional journeys in the same day will not be charged, maintaining the daily price cap concept. A weekly cap also applies – customers will pay no more than the cost of a weekly season ticket for any number of journeys in any Monday to Sunday period as long as you remember to always use the same card / device to tap in and out of on the ticket gates. No registration is required in advance of travel, making contactless PAYG the most convenient option for many customers, including tourists and other visitors as well as regular travellers.”

The introduction of contactless PAYG represents the biggest change to the Subway ticketing offer since the existing Smartcard system was introduced in 2013. It will provide a seamless payment experience for the majority of adult Subway customers while automatically delivering best value for Subway travel. 

Since 2020, SPT has seen a significant shift from cash to debit and credit card payments. In 2025 more than 84% of Subway tickets purchased were paid by card. This new addition to Subway payment options enables individual customers travelling to pay by card or mobile wallet directly at the gate without the need to top up Smartcards or pay at the ticket office or ticket vending machines.

All existing Subway ticket and payment options will remain available until further notice, including cash payment at ticket offices and ticket vending machines. SPT recognises not all passengers have equal access to card payments, and that for some customers, cash is a preference. In addition, customers who wish to pay for two or more passengers will still need to use the Subway ticket office or ticket vending machines as only one customer can travel using a contactless PAYG on a single payment card.

The use of cash and card also vary by users of different ticket types, and at different stations. To support SPT’s equality and accessibility agenda cash payment options will be retained to support these passengers.

Subway Fares

• Contactless PAYG prices are the same as Smartcard prices for 2026.
• £1.80 single journey
• £3.40 daily cap (2+ journeys)
• £15.50 weekly cap

Daily cap

• You’ll never pay more than £3.40 in a day, no matter how many Subway journeys you make as long as you use one card or mobile wallet for all taps.

Weekly cap

• You will not pay more than £15.50 for contactless PAYG Subway travel in any Monday to Sunday period. This means if you make return journeys, on five or more days, you will save money compared to the daily price.