Glasgow Subway say that there is no 'definitive date' for when the modernisation programme of the metro system - almost a decade on from when work first started.
The £288m modernisation programme is the first full-scale upgrade of the Subway since the renovations took place between 1977 and 1980, and has been ongoing since July of 2011.
So far, the upgrade of the third-oldest underground system in the world has involved the redevelopment of all 15 stations on the six-mile long system, improved disabled access and the implementation of a smartcard ticketing system.
Tunnel lining improvements are to be carried out as part of the second phase of the modernisation, while the subway system will move from its current partially automatic trains to Unattended Train Operations (UTO) via new driverless trains, which are going through an intensive testing programme in preparation for their launch - reported to be in 2022.
We reported last week how Subway bosses will 'look at' extending the opening hours of the metro system once the modernisation programme is complete and the circular route is served by the new driverless trains.
However, when Glasgow Live enquired as to when that is likely to be, an SPT spokesperson responded: “We have now started the intensive and extensive testing stages of the modernisation programme.
"Until that is all successfully completed to that satisfaction of the contractors and SPT, as well as rail regulators and authorities, we won’t have a definitive date for the completion of the programme.”
