The Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop has visited the Subway Depot to view the last new trains being worked on by the manufacturer before being handed over to SPT.

The last three new trains of 17 in total have yet to be officially handed over to SPT. Following handover these will, in all likelihood, for the majority of time be held back for future testing with the new signalling and communications system, as well as testing with the new Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) which will be introduced in stations next year. 

SPT Director of Transport Operations Richard Robinson said:

“Having all our new trains officially accepted will be another key milestone in the modernisation programme but there are still many more to come. These last three trains will not be introduced into passenger service straight away but will be used for further testing with new signalling and communications infrastructure currently being installed in the system, and then with our PSDs. In addition, all of this needs to tie up with our new Operational Control Centre so these last trains have a lot more work to do.”

This was the first opportunity for the Cabinet Secretary to see the new trains up close and experience them in the system as she travelled from the Subway depot to Govan Subway Station.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop said:

“People living, working in and visiting Glasgow are already benefiting from new modernised trains and I was pleased to see and experience them for myself today.

“We have provided major funding for the SPT-led Subway Modernisation project, the most significant investment and improvement programme to be undertaken in the Subway in the last 40 years.

“People and communities will benefit from further improvements with the ongoing renewal and upgrade of Subway infrastructure and more new trains entering service later this year. All of this works to make Glasgow’s Subway more attractive and accessible, with more space than before for wheelchair users or people carrying prams – all helping to encourage a shift away from cars and towards sustainable public transport.”

The Subway is currently undergoing its third modernisation of its lifetime which has seen new smart ticketing introduced; a refurb of all 15 stations on the network; and new rolling stock complete with a new signalling and communication system alongside a new state-of-the-art control room all being introduced.