Calls for integrated Glasgow travel ticket ahead of Commonwealth Games

Calls have been made for Glasgow to get one public travel ticket that works across buses and trains in time for the Commonwealth Games – with the hope of a permanent introduction.

Councillor Saqib Ahmed wants the council to open talks with public transport operators to find a solution to offer one integrated ticketing system – even for a few weeks during the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Speaking at a meeting on Thursday, the local Labour politician said it would give “visitors coming to Glasgow peace of mind so they know they only need one ticket to travel on buses and trains during the Commonwealth Games.”

Council leader Susan Aitken said it is not within the council’s direct control as it lies in the hands of public transport operators and the Strathclyde Partnership For Transport (SPT). However, conversations are taking place with those organisations.

Councillor Angus Millar, SNP, said: “I think and we would all agree that we want to see integrated ticketing brought into Glasgow and across Scotland on a permanent basis and if the Commonwealth Games or any other major event or milestone can be used as something to work towards to bring in that system then that would be very welcome.

“Indeed I really want to work with all public transport operators and SPT and others to try and make that happen as quickly as possible.

“We should be clear that it is something we want to bring in on a permanent basis and not just for one particular event.”

He said there is a belief that an integrated ticket was rolled out for COP26, which he said was not the case as it was a concessionary scheme for attendees.

He added: “That is not the same as integrated ticketing, which is a far more comprehensive system of interoperability between public transport operators and preferably with an integrated fare scheme.”

The convenor for transport said the council will talk to operators and the regional and national transport authorities to progress that vision.

The discussion about one ticket for all modes of travel took place at a city administration committee as councillors were given an update about delivery focus areas for Glasgow’s transport strategy.

There are 14 delivery focus areas, including walking, wheeling or cycling, improvements for people travelling by bus, developing the case for Clyde Metro and tougher crackdowns on pavement parking and double parking, among others.