Glasgow Subway to launch ‘Bramble’ smartcards

SMARTCARDS similar to the Oyster system used on London’s public transport are to be introduced to the Glasgow Subway.

The Glasgow subway is set to introduce 'smart' ticketing. Picture: SPT/Sandy Young (contributed)

SPT plan to have the Bramble tickets fully operational in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Games as part of a £300 million revamp of the service known locally as ‘the Clockwork Orange’.

The operator will launch an interim system at the end of the month, with tickets compatible with both smartcard readers and the current gate system in place on the underground.

Ten and 20 journey tickets tickets will be scrapped in favour of unlimited seven-day or four-week passes costing £12 and £45 respectively. Singles and returns will remain at their current prices of £1.40 and £2.60.

SPT claimed the new ticketing systems would result in “faster, easier journeys” as well as cutting down on queueing, but passengers who regularly use the multi-journey tickets could lose out under the new regime.

The subway was hit by severe disruption earlier this month when emergency work was required to one of the tunnels.