One third of drivers on the Glasgow Subway have already been retrained in new roles in preparation for the transport system becoming automated, SPT has confirmed.
In 2018/19, the transport operator spent £1,078,305 employing 32 drivers through the system, with trains operating seven days per week.
However, plans to make the subway the first driverless underground system in the UK have naturally sparked fears of job losses for those currently operating the trains.
As recently as the beginning of this year, estimates suggested driverless trains could be in operation at the end of 2020 or 2021, though, speaking to Glasgow Live, an SPT spokesperson dismissed the suggestions.
They said: “The introduction of unattended train operation (UTO) in the Subway is a number of years away. The first of the new trains have recently arrived in Glasgow and will have to undergo a rigorous and lengthy testing period before entering passenger service. It is only once this testing is complete and Platform Screen Doors (PSDs) have been fitted to each of the stations that we can move to driverless trains.”
With the first set of of trains delivered this year by manufacturer Stadler, the company is beginning preparations for a new era on the world’s third oldest subway system.
The spokesperson confirmed that one third of drivers were already retraining for new roles, with options available to staff until the rollout of the new system was complete.
They added: “With regard to staff, a third of our current drivers have already undergone retraining for new roles in control, operations, and in customer service.
“We continue to look at future training options for all staff and we are working closely with our trade union colleagues to ensure staff remain informed of the options open to them.”
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