GLASGOW’S Subway is running slower since the introduction of the new fleet, making the journey time the same as when it first opened 128 years ago.
When the Subway first opened In December 1896, the journey time was 30 minutes. New trains introduced in 1980 brought the journey time down to 24 minutes.
But the newest fleet of trains first introduced in December now take at least 30 minutes to complete one loop of the Subway’s inner and outer circles.
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) said the issue is down to complications with the signalling system and a delay in train doors opening and closing at stations.
The 128-year-old subway system is the third oldest in the world — after London and Budapest — and has undergone an extensive upgrade.
A spokeswoman for SPT confirmed the new subway trains take 30 minutes to complete a full circle of the subway, slower than the legacy rolling stock.
She said: “This is due to the fact that currently the new trains are running on the old signalling system while the new signalling and communications system is being installed.
“Once the new signalling system is installed and operating, it is expected this will improve journey times.”
Doors on the new trains include audio and visual alarms, which SPT said caused slight delays at stations to allow passengers to enter and alight from the trains.
The spokeswoman added: “We are currently looking at a design modification to decrease the wait time for the doors to open.”
