Glasgow Subway New Driverless Trains

AlastairFraser · 16 Jan 2026

stadler said:
So is the plan for the Glasgow Subway to run full proper staffless automation with nobody onboard? So just like on the Birmingham / Gatwick / Heathrow / Luton / Stansted terminal shuttle things and the Copenhagen Metro and some Paris Metro lines? If so then that will be the first fully automated train in the UK that is not an airport shuttle. I suppose it saves them a lot of money but i also wonder where the drivers will go as i doubt they have any alternative jobs on such a small system.

Perhaps they will retrain in maintenance, or as platform/control room staff. There are plans for the system to significantly expand as part of the Clyde Metro system, so more opportunities may be available there when/if that opens.

RailUK Forums

gazthomas · 16 Jan 2026

Thr

stadler said:
So is the plan for the Glasgow Subway to run full proper staffless automation with nobody onboard? So just like on the Birmingham / Gatwick / Heathrow / Luton / Stansted terminal shuttle things and the Copenhagen Metro and some Paris Metro lines? If so then that will be the first fully automated train in the UK that is not an airport shuttle. I suppose it saves them a lot of money but i also wonder where the drivers will go as i doubt they have any alternative jobs on such a small system.

Is the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) fully automated? (With some minor exceptions?)

Dstock7080 · 16 Jan 2026

gazthomas said:
Thr
Is the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) fully automated?

No, because trains require a staff member to close the doors, then dispatch it.

Bletchleyite · 16 Jan 2026

gazthomas said:
Thr
Is the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) fully automated? (With some minor exceptions?)

It's in effect guard-only operation (though the "guard" can also drive in emergency).

geoffk · 16 Jan 2026

stadler said:
So is the plan for the Glasgow Subway to run full proper staffless automation with nobody onboard? So just like on the Birmingham / Gatwick / Heathrow / Luton / Stansted terminal shuttle things and the Copenhagen Metro and some Paris Metro lines? If so then that will be the first fully automated train in the UK that is not an airport shuttle. I suppose it saves them a lot of money but i also wonder where the drivers will go as i doubt they have any alternative jobs on such a small system.

Sydney Metro is driverless too although there are customer service attendants who work inside the trains and on platforms.

Skymonster · 17 Jan 2026

As mentioned in the article, the platform screens and doors associated with automated running are coming. Work is underway at Govan my (photos from yesterday) and will undoubtedly progress around the entire circle. The doors are not yet working - presumably that will come as testing progresses.

I think that the Glasgow Subway has quite an intimate feel to it, especially the stations that have narrow central platforms when both are lines occupied (some might argue it is almost claustrophobic when its busy - especially in contrast to, say, the London Underground). These installations will undoubtedly alter the essence of the system for those who have an interest beyond just using it as a form of transport. The new trains have already given the Subway a different character (it can hardly be called the Clockwork Orange anymore given the vehicles are now predominantly white, even though the SPT logo is still orange), and the screens and doors are the harbinger of another shift. Anyone who hasn’t but wants to experience the Subway as it is - rather than how it will be - might be best advised to visit this year.

yorkie · 2 Aug 2026

Thread reopened for @318266 to post an update...

318266 · 2 Aug 2026

In the latest publicly available report to the Strathclyde Transport Partnership, updates on the Subway Modernisation Programme were included. The document is quite lengthy, so I will quote highlights. The entire document is available here for those wishing to indulge.

SPT said:
3.7 CP4+ ‘go-live’

On completion of (a) fault free running for the first three trains; (b) the trial operations programme and all other readiness activities; and (c) all required safety verification and assurance, the system will then be ready to be accepted by SPT for passenger operations.
To achieve the switchover to the new signalling system and new control room is a significant undertaking.

...

Subject to ANSTA’s successful completion of FFR and submission of all safety verification and assurance documentation, it is expected that this closure will be on Sunday 30 August 2026

Once switched over, this will mark achievement of Configuration Point 4+ (CP4+) and from Monday 31 August, the Subway system will be operating on the new signalling and telecommunication systems from the control room in the new Operational Control Centre.

3.8

Future Customer Experience

...

Platform Screen Doors installed at stations will come into passenger use once CP4+ goes live with up to six of these PSDs providing enhanced levels of passenger safety on our
system.

Following the PSDs at the first stations going into operation, the subsequent PSDs in remaining stations will be commissioned and brought into use immediately following their installation at each station.

The new passenger information system will be introduced and this will consist of automatic audio and visual announcements on the trains as well as at platforms and station concourses and visual information at station entrances. The system will provide consistent and reliable information about the service, including next train times, service changes as well as key safety and emergency messages.

Passenger Help Points in stations and on trains will also come into use when the new system goes live.

These will provide the facility for passengers to contact staff with any general queries or support in case of an emergency.

...

3.13 Programme review
The programme continues to be reviewed and updated. The current delivery estimates are noted below:
...
CPX: Introduction of new fleet to passenger service on legacy signalling system - June 2024 (achieved)
CP4+: New signalling system and Operational Control Centre ready for operation - 30 August 2026
CP5: Platform Screen Doors installed and operational at all stations - Q4 2026
CP6: Ready for Unattended Train Operation - Q1 2027

In essence, the introduction of CBTC (computer-based train control) signalling, along with the new passenger information systems, and the platform screen doors that have been installed to date, will enter revenue service along with the 3 presently withheld members of the new Stadler rolling stock on the 31st of August if all goes as planned. It'll certainly feel quite different to how it is now, and I imagine a few of us will be having our pens out on the 31st to get those last few stragglers!

317 forever · 2 Aug 2026

Last Saturday (25th) I rode a new train from Partick to Buchanan Street. I went the scenic route via Govan, under the Clyde.

Anyway, I didn't find the ride very comfortable. Although the train was modern, it seems the track had not been refurbished/replaced for a long time, as the ride was bumpy. I had planned to stay on to Hillhead but lost interest in such a long ride.

My Tyne & Wear 555 ride on Monday was much more comfortable, as were my Sheffield tram rides on Wednesday.

92002 · 2 Aug 2026

317 forever said:
Last Saturday (25th) I rode a new train from Partick to Buchanan Street. I went the scenic route via Govan, under the Clyde.

Anyway, I didn't find the ride very comfortable. Although the train was modern, it seems the track had not been refurbished/replaced for a long time, as the ride was bumpy. I had planned to stay on to Hillhead but lost interest in such a long ride.

My Tyne & Wear 555 ride on Monday was much more comfortable, as were my Sheffield tram rides on Wednesday.

Last time I was on a new unit the ride was a bit bumpy too. Think they can alter the suspension by plugging them into a PC. Which may solve the problem Sure the track was part of the process of renewal. Maybe just the suspension needing a bit of upgrade

ld0595 · 2 Aug 2026

It's definitely not as bad as it used to be when the new stock was introduced, with it violently shaking side to side

AilsaBus · 2 Aug 2026

The new trains are awful, the doors take ages to open and they don't accelerate as quickly or as smoothly as the old stock. I wouldn't be surprised if a round trip now takes longer due to the slowness of the new trains.

EMU303 · 3 Aug 2026

AilsaBus said:
The new trains are awful, the doors take ages to open and they don't accelerate as quickly or as smoothly as the old stock. I wouldn't be surprised if a round trip now takes longer due to the slowness of the new trains.

This was the case when the trains were first introduced. Today, the doors open approximately 4 seconds after the train comes to a halt, with an audible warning in between. Can’t see how it can be any faster?

AilsaBus · 3 Aug 2026

EMU303 said:
This was the case when the trains were first introduced. Today, the doors open approximately 4 seconds after the train comes to a halt, with an audible warning in between. Can’t see how it can be any faster?

The doors on the old stock used to open pretty much as soon as the train stopped and the train started to pull away the instant they closed. The jerky acceleration won't be helping travel times either.

D1537 · 4 Aug 2026

318266 said:
In essence, the introduction of CBTC (computer-based train control) signalling, along with the new passenger information systems, and the platform screen doors that have been installed to date, will enter revenue service along with the 3 presently withheld members of the new Stadler rolling stock on the 31st of August if all goes as planned. It'll certainly feel quite different to how it is now, and I imagine a few of us will be having our pens out on the 31st to get those last few stragglers!

I rode on 315 last Tuesday and saw 313 working as well, so it would appear that the withheld ones are in service now.

Techniquest · 7 Aug 2026

D1537 said:
I rode on 315 last Tuesday and saw 313 working as well, so it would appear that the withheld ones are in service now.

Indeed they are, my last two were 313 and 314, I got them both almost 2 weeks ago. I celebrated my last one, 313, with a full loop around the Inner Circle on it.

No more light rail or heavy rail trains on my wants list in Scotland now, except for heritage railways

EMU303 · Saturday at 09:05

Platform doors at Partick, Govan and Ibrox to be operational from Monday 31st August. Plus automated train announcements/info display screens and new platform information screens from the same day.

Doors have been installed at Shields Road and - presumably - a gradual roll out of installation and then operational at the remaining stations over the next couple of months.

318266 · Saturday at 09:21

EMU303 said:
Platform doors at Patrick, Govan and Ibrox to be operational from Monday 31st August. Plus automated train announcements/info display screens and new platform information screens from the same day.

Doors have been installed at Shields Road and - presumably - a gradual roll out of installation and then operational at the remaining stations over the next couple of months.

I think you mean Partick! As I understand it, all presently-installed platform screen doors (inc. Shields Road) will work from then.

I spent about an hour and a half this morning shuttling around the circles, in order to record a set of manual announcements since these (which presumably have been going on continously since... 1980? 1945?) finish today.

Dstock7080 · Monday at 14:36

as mentioned above, update to:
platform information displays,
on train information displays
commissioning of platform screen doors at Govan, Partick and Ibrox
from today Monday 31 August

bramling · Monday at 14:47

Dstock7080 said:
as mentioned above, update to:
platform information displays,
on train information displays
commissioning of platform screen doors at Govan, Partick and Ibrox
from today Monday 31 August

“Nice tone to your journey”, could elements of that video be any more cringeworthy?

Crithylum · Monday at 15:25

EMU303 said:
This was the case when the trains were first introduced. Today, the doors open approximately 4 seconds after the train comes to a halt, with an audible warning in between. Can’t see how it can be any faster?

That is glacial (at least for a metro). On the Victoria line doors start opening before the train is fully stopped. I guess it is faster than the ceremony of the doors that a certain union insists on keeping.

matchmaker · Monday at 15:52

92002 said:
Last time I was on a new unit the ride was a bit bumpy too. Think they can alter the suspension by plugging them into a PC. Which may solve the problem Sure the track was part of the process of renewal. Maybe just the suspension needing a bit of upgrade

I was surprised to learn that the Subway was an early adopter of continuous welded rain, from about 1939-40.

Bald Rick · Monday at 17:12

matchmaker said:
I was surprised to learn that the Subway was an early adopter of continuous welded rain

Well it is the west side of Scotland, where the rain is pretty continuous.

matchmaker · Tuesday at 10:17

Bald Rick said:
Well it is the west side of Scotland, where the rain is pretty continuous.

Whoops!

trei2k · 2026-09-02T22:24:34+0100

I had my first listen of the new automated announcements earlier - they are good.

The sound is generally quite clear, despite the noise of the Subway. It is also nice to hear what side that doors will open at the next stop - the passengers around me were especially impressed with the left/right side announcements!

Glasgow Subway New Driverless Trains

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