Bob Doris MSP has stepped up his campaign to bring forward the modernisation of the ageing Glasgow Subway. Mr Doris has previously met Government and Strathclyde Passenger Transport officials to push for the soonest possible date for the go-ahead for vital works to bring the subway system into the 21st Century.

After raising the matter with Finance Secretary John Swinney in the Scottish Parliament today (4 Nov), the Glasgow SNP MSP commented: "I met with Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson back in August to make sure he was on board with the modernisation proposal. The Minister was extremely supportive and he indicated to me at that time that he would expect detailed proposals to come from SPT, hopefully before the end of this year.

Mr Swinney confirmed in Parliament that he "looks forward to a firm proposal emerging" but Mr Doris is concerned that SPT have as yet not indicated when the business case will be presented to the Scottish Government. Mr Doris added:

"I remain concerned that the final business plan has yet to be presented and I know the Minister had been hoping the final plan would be on his desk this year. I will therefore write once more to SPT in order to seek assurances that the timetable is on course.

"It is vital that SPT brings forward detailed plans as soon as possible, with a business case that properly stacks up. The SNP Scottish Government remains committed to supporting the subway modernisation on these grounds and the future reliability of the service depends on action being taken sooner rather than later."

Note:

Mr Doris lodged the following parliamentary motion in support of modernisation:

S3M-06740 Bob Doris (Glasgow) (Scottish National Party): Committing to Subway Modernisation-
That the Parliament believes that Glasgow's subway system is a well-loved and key asset to both Glasgow and the wider west of Scotland region and that it provides a vital service that effectively transports locals, workers and tourists across large parts of the city and eases congestion on Glasgow's roads; further believes that, over 30 years since the last modernisation programme for the subway was initiated, it is now time for a new modernisation programme that will significantly improve, among other things, ticketing, stations, track and rolling stock as well as the frequency and reliability of trains and enhance the commuter experience; considers that, without such investment, both the operating deficit and public subsidy will significantly increase and the reliability of the subway will suffer, and calls on Strathclyde Passenger Transport (SPT) to provide the Scottish Government with a robust, detailed and affordable business plan for subway modernisation to allow it to scrutinise the plan in detail with a view to working with SPT to identify how subway modernisation can be supported, whether by guaranteeing, under strict conditions, future interest payments on loans taken by the subway operating body in order to enable the significant capital expenditure needed or by any other effective method.