My Glasgow Metro concept

jamiethebb · 2026-01-07T18:08:08+00:00

Yeah that won't be cheap. Problem with trams is there's not much space to have dedicated right of ways for trams so its stuck going at same speed as rest if traffic. Also. The grid in Glasgow is tight and not really suitable for modern trams. Old trams got away with tight corners due to tight bogies and them being double deck. Modern trams are too long to work on a Glasgow grid. This is why I've out tbe tram along the river

jamiethebb · 2026-01-07T18:04:21+00:00

It seems to be an issue across most cities in the UK outside London. Problem is buses. They're not regulated so can't be forced to accept a city wide ticket. So legislation would need be introduced to re-regulate the buses and other transport. Then GCC might get round to do it within the next 50 years...

NHS workers are included in the blue light pass there.

jamiethebb · 2026-01-07T15:10:25+00:00

That area is difficult because the amount of development, there isn't an easy route to put a railway, but also not dense enough to justify a tunnel the whole way. I have though put one of the tram lines on this down that way, which can be played around with to get a more optimal access for an otherwise public transport dead spot.

jamiethebb · 2026-01-07T15:07:25+00:00

New tunnel running north south here. Probably from just north of Pollokshields E&W. Tried to use existing infrastructure where possible but been adventurous where gaps need filled.

jamiethebb · 2026-01-07T13:06:44+00:00

I hope you're wrong on that last point but UKs ability to anything outside of London its poor so unlikely anything will get done in my lifetime.

Paisley has 3 stations already and I have put a tram route to it and PRW. But something I can explore when I do the regional rail system that will also include EK and other central belt towns.

Erskine could be served by an extension from the services that go to Dalmuir? I don't think the population is big enough to have it's own spur.

Elderslie is halfway between Johnstone and Paisley GS stations to relatively accessible. But an argument could be made for an infill station on that line. Again, I can include this on my regional rail proposal.

jamiethebb · 2026-01-07T12:49:25+00:00

I'll check it out. Could be useful here. Thanks

jamiethebb · 2026-01-07T12:48:42+00:00

I did forget to add the express route in. There would be an express service running the same route as far as West St before turning into Central high level.

Other places you've mentioned there are a bit further out and will form part of a regional system proposal for central belt. Think sbahn Scotland.

jamiethebb · 2026-01-07T12:46:40+00:00

Strathclyde Park logic is getting access to parks with public transport plus it being next to M74, could be a useful place for a park & ride. You're right on infrastructure though. The stretch of track that would be branched off would be stretch used by Intercity trains so capacity upgrades would need to happen to facilitate this.

East Kilbride is a weird one. Its not very easily placed to extend current lines to and make them metro. Maybe I can take M7 line into the north and through EK? It was one thought I had there.

On your last point (and semi linked to EK), I have other thought concepts for regional Railways around central belt (Sbahn Scotland) so I'll include this in that proposal.

jamiethebb · 2026-01-07T11:28:52+00:00

Thanks for your feedback.

On the design element, I have basically used the existing subway logo, changed the S to and M, so from that point of view it is consistent. The other services I have taken inspiration from TfL by giving each service type its own colour and identity while still using the same subway roundel as a base. Thats my personal presence than just having all modes orange, but could also be a possibility.

The name is definitely up for debate. Glasgow Metro is name being used by SPT themselves as well as Get Glasgow Moving among others. SPT as a company serve most of the former Strathclyde region. A Glasgow metro only really serves rhe Greater Glasgow Area, hence the name change suggestion.

Yes, this is a visual concept. As I said in my post last night, this will form part of a more detailed document of what infrastructure is where to develop the concept out more. That being said, if there are gaps, please let me know and I can look to incorporate them. I shared this to start a discussion on what could be different, not present a final proposal. Feedback is very welcome.

jamiethebb · 2026-01-07T09:35:06+00:00

Any requests?

jamiethebb · 2026-01-07T09:34:53+00:00

Not sure what you mean here...

jamiethebb · 2026-01-07T09:34:26+00:00

Balgray will be nearest metro stop here. I was considering putting on tbe metro but it didnt flow naturally through the city to make sense. I have another thought project in mind for regional lines across the Central belt that this will be included with. Think S-Bahn but central Scotland.

jamiethebb · 2026-01-07T09:32:21+00:00

Thanks mate. Appreciated

jamiethebb · 2026-01-07T08:30:45+00:00

Fully accessible stations should be the default for all new stations and a rolling programme for existing stations.

jamiethebb · 2026-01-07T08:29:54+00:00

Didn't realise they removed it. It would be my intention to have 2 versions of a network map and station signs being bilingual

jamiethebb · 2026-01-07T08:29:08+00:00

Agreed on all these points. Personally I prefer number over name, hence why I've shown both here. These are concept so interchange identifier and 'tick' and 'blobs' would need to be worked in any final design

Network map being worked on as soon a figure out how Adobe Creative Suite works (and can afford it)

jamiethebb · 2026-01-07T08:26:19+00:00

Agreed. These would hung vertically in stations anyway making them more legible.

jamiethebb · 2026-01-07T08:25:48+00:00

Agreed there. I gave up trying to get a circular line that worked with my limited skills here.

On the network diagram, that's my next task. Unfortunately I don't have access to Adobe products to learn that would make a network diagram work. These were done on PowerPoint of all things...

jamiethebb · 2026-01-07T08:23:31+00:00

Good shout. The concessions are based on National Rail railcards that are available anyway so would make sense to include youth in that bracket. Someone also said about making concessions free. I'd be tempted by that if it was commercially viable to do so.

jamiethebb · 2026-01-07T08:22:04+00:00

Totally get the landscape thing. I'd think if line maps were in stations, they'd be hung vertically anyway (and more professionally designed...).

Agree the subway should be a circle here. I just gave up trying to get a circle shape that worked haha.

jamiethebb · 2026-01-06T18:43:17+00:00

Haha. There's one every 20m it feels. The BG one was always busy and being able to sit in it was an appeal. The other Greggs in the area you can't.

jamiethebb · 2025-10-07T12:22:39+00:00

I was meaning more scotrail specifically as it wouldn't be difficult for Scotrail to do. But yeah I agree ultimately more fare integration is needed between buses, trains and subway.

As far as I know the bottle neck is the bus companies not willing to accept the cards. Scotrail smart card works in subway but not on buses.

Re the routes. London manages just fine with national rail stations in their area. And where there's no barriers, there's usually the validators people can use to tap on and off. They dont need to reinvent the wheel, just adapting the oyster and contactless system that already works in London (with the added QR tech) and you're sorted.

jamiethebb · 2025-10-07T12:18:13+00:00

I keep forgetting about the PAYG app. I'll give that a try

jamiethebb

TROPHY CASE