LUCKY passengers got an exciting first look - and ride - on the new Glasgow Subway trains.
After a period of trial testing, Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) decided to enter the first of its new trains into the system on Monday morning.
Those travelling got a glimpse into the new and improved modern trains, all of which have been custom-made due to the Glasgow Subway's unique size.
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 make the most of the space available.
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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.”
The new trains are just one stage in the transport system's major modernisation programme, as work is ongoing behind the scenes to replace the signalling and communications systems.
A new operational control centre is also underway, and SPT will be introducing platform screen doors to station platforms.
After these milestones have been achieved, the firm will then look into the introduction of Unattended Train Operation or "driverless" trains to the system.
Toner added: “There are still a couple of challenging key milestones to be reached before we can say Subway modernisation is complete.
"I understand for passengers the new trains are the most important part of the programme as it is something tangible they can see.
"However, this a brand new, complex state-of-the-art system going into a very old network and that does frustratingly for us all, take time to deliver.
“We are still some way off seeing platform screen doors added to all stations which will be the next big thing for passengers before we have the option of moving to driverless trains.”
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