New Glasgow metro system can be a 'game-changer' for the city

Plans for a Glasgow metro – a new mass transit system – have been set out as part of a 20-year transport vision.

Transport Scotland said accelerating economic recovery and laying the groundwork for an inclusive, greener transport network would be at the heart of future transport investment in Scotland.

Recommendations in Phase One of the Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR2) include the rationale for investment in a Glasgow metro and improved resilience of the trunk road network at the A83 Rest and Be Thankful.

According to Transport Scotland, the metro could include one or more of bus rapid transit, tram, light rail and/or metro rail, with the network complementing and being integrated with the bus and heavy rail networks.

Speaking at a Holyrood event, Scotland: The Recovery - Reimagining Scotland's Cities, city council leader Susan Aitken said the Metro plan had huge implications for Glasgow.

She said: "(Plans for a Glasgow metro) have taken a really significant step forward with the announcement from Transport Scotland that it will work to develop plans for the metro in partnership with Glasgow City Council and others as a priority investment in the Strategic Transport Projects Review.

"This is potentially huge news for our city, our region and all of Scotland - a real game-changer."

She added: "The case for metro is compelling. We know that transport can be critical in promoting healthier, more sustainable and generally better places to live."

Transport Scotland said the priorities in the review underpin the 2021-22 draft budget set out last week, which commits to delivering a clean, efficient, and connected transport network with investment of £3.2bn; including £1.6bn for rail and bus services and £100.5m for active travel.

Transport secretary Michael Matheson said:  “We are conducting a thorough, evidence-based review of the performance of Scotland’s strategic transport network across active travel, bus, ferry, rail and the trunk road network and my thanks go to everyone who is engaged in that process, particularly our regional transport working groups.

“Phase one sets out some of our transport investment priorities for the next few years, which will support a fair and sustainable economic recovery from the pandemic, while working towards our longer term goals of making Scotland more accessible for residents, visitors and businesses; improving connectivity and highlighting the vital contribution that transport investment can play in enabling and sustaining Scotland’s economic growth."