Subway extension - again...

james73 · Subway extension - again...

More Subway extension talk...

A NEW Subway line crossing Glasgow from east to west could be up and running
in time for the Commonwealth Games.

The scheme would run in tandem with a complete facelift of the existing
Clockwork Orange.

The 111-year-old Subway would get better stations, escalators, lighting,
new rolling stock, upgraded power supply and a new ticket system.

Together, the extension and the upgrade would cost hundreds of millions
of pounds.

Earlier this year, consultants employed by Strathclyde Partnership for
Transport, presented 11 possible options for the future of the Subway.

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.1755423.0.0.php

http://www.subway2020.com/

James H

glasgowken

Be nice if they just did it up, games or not, or is that too much of a jump for them ?

Always a laugh to see the ET pissing itself when it gets thrown a bone from some official body, or big business

james73

Aye, it's obviously another slow news day....

James H

Gap74

I'm not convinced by this plan at all - whilst the east end is badly in need of some investment in infrastructure, a line from the SECC to Parkhead is already fairly well served for most of its length by the Argyle line, I don't really see the point in replicating that.

Explains the amount of cleaning up that had been going on in the disused tunnels though, guess you can't really survey them when they're overgrown and full of crap!

james73

Stuball

It'll be useful for ferrying tourists around for the commenwealth games (assuming we are hosting them)

But after that it'll be pretty pointless

james73

Gap74

Seems the most sensible option in my view too, a short spur and a much-needed redecoration of the current Bridgeton station, which must be one of the drabbest on the network (not that there's any shortage of candidates for that title!).

If the subway were to be expanded in some form though....

What would be the best way forward, in the humble opinion of these forummers?? Is there any sensible way of re-using the currently disused tunnels across the city that would actually produce a coherent and viable route? Almost all of them have, as far as I can tell, been compromised by development at some point along their route. Or would an entirely new system be best, despite the huge cost that would entail?

james73

I honestly don't think re-using the old rail tunnels is worthwile - it's simply a
cheap option. Most of them lead to areas already well-served by rail/bus or, as
you say, there has been heavy development of the old formation.

I did like the idea of an Eastern loop to the underground (first mooted in 1944,
shown below) but in all honesty, it's just too damn expensive.

Rehash of the above plan?

James H

james73

Here we go - again...

East End Subway link is a done deal before 2014 Games

PLANS for a multi-million extension of Glasgow's Subway system into the East
End are firmly on track.

SPT chairman Alistair Watson today revealed: "We will deliver the East End
extension for 2014. I am being unequivocal about that."

The historic decision to give the 2014 Commonwealth Games to Glasgow
on Friday has concentrated efforts to transform Glasgow's transport
infrastructure.

A major revamp of the 111-year-old subway system is planned and the
first phase will be an extension linking the SECC to the Commonwealth
Games village opposite Celtic Park and the nearby new National Indoor
Arena.

It is thought the SECC line will connect with Argyle Street low level before
going further east to Bridgeton and Parkhead.

The extension is among a number of transport plans expected to become
priorities for the city now.

Other pressing projects include the completion of the M74, the Glasgow
Airport rail link and a facelift of the existing subway - with improved
stations, escalators, lighting and a new ticket system.

Previously SPT had said work on the Clockwork Orange extension could
start as early as 2010.

Councillor Watson said he now had no hesitation in declaring the east-west
subway extension as "on track."

He could not comment on whether this date would be brought forward in
light of the Games decision, but he said it would become a reality, with the
expected Government financial backing.

The cost extension is not clear, at this stage.

James H

james73

Another fancy graphic - this one showing the GCR line reopened between SECC
and Maryhill...

James H

scallopboy

If only funky graphics were as easy and cheap to deliver as the real thing.

Fjord

Is it going to be the same wee diddy underground or will it be a grander scale?

james73

Stuball

Why else did you think SPT supported the commenwealth bid so much? Glasgow wins, they score major overhaul

Fjord

It'll be interesting seeing how this develops anyhows regardless of the games etc. This is something that'll benefit Glasgow for years to come just as long as they don't make an arse of it.

scallopboy

Fjord

glasgowken

I'm thinking (. i .)

elgee

I don`t know about the rest of you but I have often thought our underground has not really served the rest of the city, beyond taking Westend to Ibrox. I look forward to an extension which will allow easier access to the Eastend.

Fjord

james73

Subway for East End ‘could cost £120m’

AN extra 1.6million passengers a year would use the Subway if it was extended into
Glasgow's East End, a study has found.

But early finance estimates for the project show it could cost as much as £120million
to complete the spur.

Experts were commissioned this year to find out the likely cost of a new link and how
many people would use it. They have now submitted their report for the extension,
which would connect the main Argyle Line in the city centre with the Parkhead area.

The region's transport agency, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, says passenger
numbers are based on the current population of the East End and so would likely soar
in the future.

The area, known as Clyde Gateway, is a national regeneration priority where
10,000 new homes and 21,000 jobs are planned at a cost of £1.6billion.

It is also where the Commonwealth Games village will be built in time for the 2014
event.

On Friday, SPT board members will be asked to approve a detailed survey of the new
route at a likely cost of around £250,000.

If they agree, it will mark a major step forward for the Subway extension plan.

James H

Stuball

You'd think they'd use a more upto date picture

james73

The story *seems* to be about the heavy rail line from Bridgeton Cross (not the
Subway) so you think they'd use a picture of a real train...

James H

Stuball

Another well researched story from the Evening Times

ex-tobester

Personally theyd be better opening a rail link rather than the subway, ltunells are there and set up for trains

james73

STV Video Report: http://wm.stv.tv/101207underground.wmv

http://www.stv.tv/content/news/lo...gow_underground_moves_step_closer

James H

james73

Subway tunnel terror!!!

http://www.stv.tv/info/newsWest_C...vacuated_in_Subway_scare_20071219

James H

Stuball

Oh, the evening times pissing off their SPT sponders?

FORCED TO FLEEEEEE!!!!

james73

Moving with the times?

TRANSPORT bosses today pledged to look again at extending the opening hours
of the Subway.

The vow came as it emerged the Subway nightrider service - a compromise pilot
scheme which sees buses following the route of the underground - is on the verge
of being scrapped because of mounting losses of tens of thousands of pounds.

As the ill-fated scheme nears the end of the road, Strathclyde Partnership For
Transport chairman Alistair Watson said talks would now be restarted on opening
the underground later at night.

But he warned it would take major investment and a deal to be thrashed out
with train drivers and station workers.

The first extension of hours could take place on a Sunday, when the Subway
currently closes at 6pm, to reflect lifestyle changes which have led to a more
vibrant city centre night life.

James H

james73

Subway users scanned for knives

Passengers on Glasgow's subway have been scanned by police with mobile metal
detectors as part of an operation to tackle knife crime.

British Transport Police officers targeted Ibrox station for the operation on
Friday evening.

They used portable walk-through archway metal detectors, similar to those used
at airports, during and hand held devices to detect knives.

Officers said the addition of metal detectors was "extremely useful"

'Security measures'

As part of Operation Shield the metal detectors can be deployed anywhere
in the country.

It has been successful in removing hundreds of knives and other weapons
from the railway since it was first introduced.

Donnie MacLeod, SPT's Head of Security welcomed the operation on the
subway: "We take the safety of the travelling public very seriously and,
working in partnership with BTP, we are continually improving our security
measures.

"Metal detectors add to developing plans to increase vigilance in every
area of our operations.

"Unfortunately there are no guarantees, but people should be reassured
that we're doing all we can to make sure their journey is as safe as
possible."

James H

glasgowken

Aye I hope the cops remember some knives are (quite rightly) perfectly legal to carry.

Stuball

Underground closed this morning after pumps failed and the tunnels flooded...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/7332208.stm

My favourite bit...

james73

Subway back on track after flood

Glasgow's subway system is fully operational after flooding problems disrupted
services on Saturday.

An electrical fault which caused water pumps to fail has now been resolved
and everything is back to normal.

All of Glasgow's city centre subway stations were closed during Saturday
morning because of flooding.

Services on the inner circle were restored with the exception of Buchanan
Street. However services on the outer circle were limited.

The management apologised to passengers for the disruption.

James H

james73

SPT Survey Shows Subway Users Want East-West Link

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

SPT director of Communications, Bob Wylie, has returned to his old beat
to make a film investigation about what Subway users think of the current
service. And whether they would support an East West link being developed.

The first proposals about an extension to the Subway were published early
last year following a research investigation by the consultants Atkins.

Their original proposals involved the creation of an entire Eastern loop for
the current subway which was described as an Eastern Extension. But this
was costed at £2.3bn. So SPT set about defining cheaper options.

The result is an East - West link which would run from the SECC in the west
of the city to near Celtic Park in the east. This would exploit existing railway
viaducts which are currently preserved but unused. By building extensions
into the existing low level rail lines running through Central Station it would
be possible to create such an East West link.

This would provide a link which would go to the heart of the East End of the
city and the area which will become the centre of the Commonwealth Games
national arena and village. It would become a vital legacy of the Games for
the economic regeneration of the city’s east end as proposed in the current
Clyde Gateway plans.

The present Subway system would be linked into this development by an
interchange which would probably join the current St Enoch Subway station
to the low level lines at Argyle Street. SPT decided at the Partnership meeting
in January that these proposals should be investigated further in a £250,000
second stage study. Tenders for that work are about to be advertised.

James H

james73

Alex Glass

Why let the facts get in the way of a good story.

glasgowken

james73

Future's bright, the future's orange for Subway

GLASGOW'S Subway is getting an £8million boost to make it safer, brighter
and easier to use.

The Underground, which had 14.5million passengers last year, is a vital
lifeline for the city but has not seen major investment over the years.

Now all that is changing as the Clockwork Orange rolls into the 21st century.

David Wallace has been director of subway operations for only a year but is
determined the world's third-olde st underground will get a dramatic facelift.

Around £8million is to be spent over the next couple of years on a range of
measures to improve passenger safety, provide better facilities and make
stations brighter and more attractive.

Mr Wallace said: "We want passenger numbers to increase over the next
few years so cleanliness, safety and security are our top target areas for
improvements.

"People will soon see changes that will make the Subway a decent 21st
century system."

Among the radical improvements being launched by Strathclyde Partnership
for Transport, which runs the network, are:
* A £4m new "smart card" ticket system which will use similar technology
to the hugely popular London Oyster card
* Toughened glass safety panels at Hillhead and Ibrox costing £500,000
* A £1.8m upgrade of carriages l£300,000 on a new public address system
* More energy efficient lighting which will be 300% brighter
* New equipment to make it easier to wash and clean the trains
* More CCTV cameras

The smart card will allow passengers to top up their card with cash and use
it to get through new entrance gates to be installed at each of the Subway's
15 stations.

The first cards could be available towards the end of next year and will
operate alongside the existing ticket for a couple of years.

It is hoped the swipe card will be extended to include train and bus operators
making it easier for passengers to travel without separate tickets.

-------------------------

The report includes more lazy claptrap about an "extension" to the East
End. Again...

James H

james73

High costs see late bus withdrawn

Late-night bus services along the route of Glasgow's subway are to be
withdrawn because of high costs.

The Nightrider service was introduced on a trial basis over a year ago to
assess the demand for late-night public transport.

The service, contracted to First Bus, cost nearly £300,000 and an average
of 320 passengers were over the weekend period.

Passenger numbers mean that the subsidy per person has been about £15.

A spokeswoman described it as "disappointing, but the company cannot
continue to justify a subsidy of around £15 per passenger."

It is to be withdrawn in July at the end of its 15-month trial.

The most popular journey was between was between Byres Road and St
Enoch, via Govan.

James H

Alex Glass

I attended the meeting where this decision was taken.

(Unfortunately for me I appear to be present at all the controversial decisions just now

)

Anyway, it is hard to justify spending public money when there appears to be, in this case, very little uptake of the service. They are examining where the most need is and it may be that a tailored service could be provided.

It was pointed out that people heading home late at night were more inclined to use a taxi rather that this service.

Fjord

james73

Fury as Subway services to be cut in move to save cash (Evening Times)

Glasgow’s Subway is to cut back on services during off-peak periods in a desperate
attempt to bring the cost of running the ageing system under control.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), which runs the 113-year-old network,
proposes increasing the time between trains from eight minutes to 12 in the
evenings and on Sundays to address a £3.4 million overspend. But it faces a
bitter fight with unions, who describe the proposals as the “economics of the
madhouse”.

It is also facing criticism from the SNP over its ability to run essential transport
services. The transport body has been at the centre of an expenses row over the
past two months over which its top three executives resigned. Figures released
by SPT yesterday show that the Subway has lost more than one million passengers
over the past two years as the recession has cut the number of shoppers and
workers travelling on the system.

But it faced warnings that a reduced service would make it less popular and lead
to even fewer passengers. SPT declined to comment in detail on the proposals,
which it said were still under discussion with unions. However, sources told the
Evening Times of the proposed cuts in frequency.

Eddie Duffy, regional organiser for Unite, said it had lodged a grievance with SPT
over the proposals. “There have been no discussions with the union about this. We
only heard about it in the last few days. SPT are going back on their word. We’ve
continually been told there will be no reduction in front-line services without prior
discussion with the union.

“These proposals are the economics of the madhouse. The Subway should be
expanded and increasing the frequency of its services to bring back passengers
rather than looking for short-term gains.”

Sandra White, the Nationalist list MSP for Glasgow, said: “Cutting the frequency
of trains will drive people away. It will not encourage people to come back. We
need more trains running, not less. I think this raises more questions about SPT’s
running of the Subway and I’d certainly want the accountants who are examining
its expenses to broaden their inquiry to look at this.”

James H