Glasgow’s transport system has come in for much criticism lately, with the cudgels being taken up on Saturday by Geoff Ellis, a leading light in the city’s entertainment and events sector.
Today, one of our readers looks back at the many initiatives that have been put forward in the last few years, and argues that Glaswegians and visitors alike are right to feel let down.
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Patricia Fort of Glasgow writes: "Geoff Ellis makes some very good points, so let's consider all the things that have been talked about for public transport, particularly in the Glasgow area.
"I remember that back in 2007, there was much talk of a second Subway loop being built out to the east, to venues such as the Emirates stadium, in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Sadly, that's all it was, just talk.
"We've had the bus link to the new Southern General, ie the QEUH, built but it's a shadow of what we were led to expect. The publicity gave us modern, almost tram-like buses, but the reality gives us old diesel buses that don't even get priority at traffic lights.
"There's the relatively new Riverside Museum, replacing the old Transport Museums, first at the old tram depot, next to Pollokshaws East railway station and then at Kelvinhall, on a bus route. I don't even think there are signs at this new museum directing people to Partick for the city's only train, subway and bus interchange, but the car park gets very full, with visitors choosing to drive there. What happened to the Metrolink tram scheme?
"The Crossrail scheme, to link trains from the southside of Glasgow to the low-level lines north of the river, raises its head every so often, only to get pushed back into its box. Likewise, what's happened to the rail link from Glasgow Central to Glasgow Airport?
"Recently there has been a big push to get our bus services back into public management, but it's all gone very quiet.
"Finally, from me, but I'm sure there's more, ScotRail's challenges with drivers and rest-day working, harks back to the days of British Rail, when most staff were rostered Monday to Friday, with weekends and night working being overtime. Much of this has been addressed but for some reason, some has escaped change.
"Yes, there is plenty of action needed as far as public transport is concerned, but one thing Mr Ellis could do, for those of us who live near Glasgow Green and TRNSMT, is to ensure that not only the National Cycle Route along by the Clyde is kept open for as long as possible before the alternative route must be used but that safe routes for active travellers (i.e people who walk and cycle) on the north side of the Green are provided."
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