Glasgow’s flashy new subway trains are in testing ahead of introduction next year, with Transport Minister Jenny Gilruith ‘confident’ the new vehicles will impress.
With plans to introduce the seven trains into the circular network next year, the Transport Minister went to the Govan depot to get an up close look at them. She said she was confident people ‘will be delighted with the next generation of trains.’
She added: “The introduction of the new trains into the system will be a significant step in the modernisation programme and I look forward to visiting again when they come into service next year.”
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The initial testing period is held at a dedicated test tract built by the Stadler Hitachi joint venture, who gained the contract to deliver the trains, signalling and communication system for the subway. The first three trains are being tested at night, and recently completed their first full speed, full-circle test.
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport director of subway, Antony Smith, said he was pleased with how testing was going. He added: “Delivering the scale of this project while remaining operational is a massive challenge.
“We are at a vitally important stage now with both train-testing and signalling. We’ve recently had the first of a number of Sunday shutdowns to enable new signalling and communications equipment to begin to be installed in the tunnels for the new trains.”
He also remains confident that the new trains will be on track to hit the subway system next year. Part of a £288 million project to modernise the system, new updates also include refurbishment of the 15 stations as well as new signalling and smart ticketing.
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