The restaurants are bustling, the theatres are booked, the gigs and clubs are busy and the winter festival is well under way in the city of Glasgow, so what better time of year to launch a ‘Choose Public Transport’ campaign. This collaborative campaign involving all the public transport operators in Glasgow aims to encourage visitors coming into the city in the evening to make use of the wide range of transport options available.

Whether it suits people to choose the bus, ride a train, use the subway or hail a taxi, using public transport helps people enjoy the City Centre without the worry of using the car, enduring traffic congestion and busy car parks. Public transport operators collectively run 24hour a day offering flexibility for people celebrating into the small hours or night-time workers starting/finishing a day of work.

Glasgow City Council has teamed up with the Glasgow Bus Alliance, ScotRail, the Subway and Glasgow Taxis to encourage people of all ages to make the switch to public transport when they are organising their evening celebrations in the city as well as looking at walking and cycling options.

Glasgow has a wide range of public transport available in Glasgow, all of which run services almost 24 hours, with easy to access ticketing options. Bus users in particular can make use of free travel on any bus using the under 22s and over 60s free travel passes or by purchasing a Glasgow Tripper ticket available on First, McGills and West Coast Motors app, the ticket offers seamless travel on First, McGills, Stagecoach Scotland West, West Coast Motors and Whitelaws buses. Rail travellers can also enjoy off peak ticket prices plus discounts using a variety of travel card options. For more information on public transport options please visit Traveline Scotland – www.travelinescotland.com

Cllr Angus Millar, Convener for Transport, Climate and City Centre Recovery at Glasgow City Council, said: “With a range of options, using public transport to go to and get home from Glasgow city centre is an easier way to travel.  This partnership between the Council and the city’s public transport operators encourages everyone to come into the city centre over the festive period using the bus, train, subway or a taxi – or to walk and cycle if preferable – and take the strain out of your journey.”

Mike Grieve, Chair of NTIA Scotland said: "NTIA Scotland warmly welcomes Glasgow City Council's “Choose Public Transport” initiative, designed to make late night transport alternatives more visible and accessible to all, and bringing together key transport providers, Glasgow Bus Alliance, Glasgow Taxis, The Subway and ScotRail to promote a joined up approach to getting people into and safely home from Glasgow City Centre’s world class nightlife.

We look forward to sharing this key information with hospitality operators, our members, our workers and our customers as we head into the busy festive period."

Duncan Cameron, Glasgow Bus Alliance vice chair and Managing Director of First Scotland said: “Glasgow city centre is already enjoying the start of the busy festive season and we hope that this joint campaign involving all the public transport providers including bus, rail, subway and taxis gives people reliable travel options when they are enjoying the city’s night-time attractions.”

Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, said “We know how important this time of year is for people, so we are proud to partner with Glasgow City Council and other operators to promote the use of public transport. Whether it’s shopping trips or nights out, Glasgow city centre has a number transport options, and customers can travel by rail for less this Christmas with off-peak fares all day, every day.  

“We’re encouraging those who travel by rail to plan ahead and check their journey on ScotRail app or website before they set off as our timetable changes on 10 December. There may also be some minor changes to train times in the lead up to Christmas, including the last trains on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day departing earlier than usual.” 

SPT’s director of transport operations Richard Robinson said: “SPT is delighted to work with other operators and get behind this important campaign particularly over the festive period.  There are plenty of alternative options to get you in and out of the city centre safely whether that’s bus, train, Subway, or taxi so make life easier for yourself and let us take care of your travel now and throughout 2024.”

Glasgow Taxis chairman Dougie McPherson said: "Glasgow Taxis, as a 24-hour and 365-day provider, is proud to support the Choose Public Transport campaign in unison with other transport operators in the city. 

"At this time of year we are always especially keen to highlight the NiteZone taxi ranks, supported by Glasgow Taxis and Glasgow City Council, which offer a safe place for people to get a taxi at peak times with the assistance of uniformed taxi marshalls. We look forward to helping Glaswegians and visitors to the city enjoy a safe and happy festive season."

Glasgow’s City Centre is recognised as a UNESCO City of Music, named the UK’s top cultural and creative city and has an international reputation for a night out.  The city centre is the heart of Glasgow and the city region. Glasgow City Council’s City Centre Strategy recognises this and prioritises support for the area’s Night Time Economy.