Passengers travelling on the Subway this morning got to enjoy a first experience of
Glasgow’s new Subway trains.
Following their final testing by train manufacturer Stadler, SPT decided to enter the
first of the new trains into the system for their maiden passenger trip. This follows a
long testing period, both offsite at our dedicated testing area near the Broomloan
Depot and in the Subway at night once the system has closed to passenger service.
SPT Project Director Mark Toner said:
“A decision was made that the first of the new trains should enter into passenger
service this afternoon. It was an opportunity to see how they performed in service
with passengers. We’re delighted that the trains have performed as well as they
have and that, more importantly, our passengers were happy to see them.
“Our old fleet has performed beyond its expected lifespan and it has become more
and more challenging to maintain them and find parts for them as the years have
gone on. This new fleet will take time to grow towards its full capability and
reliability levels but now that the first two trains have been introduced, passengers
will have the opportunity to see them intermittently and experience for themselves
as they run alongside our existing fleet over the coming months. More new trains
will be also introduced during 2024.”
All the new trains have had to be custom made due to the unique size of Glasgow
Subway. The new trains are the same length and size as the existing ones but are now
a four-car set, as opposed to the current three-car set, with open gangways to
maximise the space available.
The new trains are, however, just the next stage in the Subway modernisation
programme as we continue with work behind the scenes to replace the Subway’s
signalling and communications system. Still to come is the introduction of our new
operational control centre which will be key to improving the availability and reliability
of passenger service.