Public
Transport
Strathclyde
Passenger Transport (telephone: (0870) 608 2608, for the Traveline
information hotline) is the region’s transport authority and
manages the underground. Information and tickets can be obtained
from the Travel Centre, St Enoch Square (Monday-Saturday
08:30 hrs-17:30 hrs) and at Buchanan bus station
(Monday-Saturday 06:30 hrs-22:30 hrs and Sunday 07:00 hrs-22:30
hrs). There are Travel Centres at domestic arrivals at Glasgow Airport
and Hillhead underground station.
Glasgow is served by a 15-station underground system
known as the ‘Clockwork Orange’, which
operates in a six-mile loop through the city centre and the West
End, every four-eight minutes, Monday-Saturday 06:30 hrs-23:20 hrs
and Sunday 11:00 hrs-17:50 hrs.
The suburban commuter rail network, run by Scotrail
(telephone: (0845) 755 0033) on behalf of the SPT (see above), is
the largest in Britain outside of London. Services run between 06:30
hrs and 24:00 hrs, although different services vary, with later
starts at the weekend. National
Rail Enquiries (telephone: (08457) 484 950) provides 24-hour
information on timetables and fares.
These services are complemented by an extensive bus
network. Services run roughly between 06:00 hrs and 23:00 hrs Monday-Friday,
with a slightly later start at the weekend. However, some specific
routes continue through the night.
The Discovery Ticket pass offers unlimited underground
travel for one day for £1.70 (not valid before 09:30 hrs Monday-Saturday),
while the Roundabout Ticket costing £3.50
allows for unlimited travel by train and underground for one day
(not valid before 0900 hrs Monday-Friday). The Daytripper
Ticket costs £8 for one adult plus two children (£14
for larger families) and is valid for the underground, rail, most
buses and some ferries. Passes are available at Travel Centres and
larger rail stations.
Taxis
Taxis are widely available and black hackney cabs can be hailed
on the street. They are fairly expensive, with a £1.80 initial
charge, followed by £2.40 for the first mile and £1.20
per mile thereafter. The largest operator is Glasgow
Wide TOA Ltd (telephone: (0141) 429 2900).
Limousines
Hollywood
Limousines, 23 Commerce Street (telephone: (0141) 429 4555/6),
offers chauffeur driven super stretch limousines with complimentary
champagne, refreshments and in-car entertainment.
Driving in the City
Glasgow’s city centre is fairly compact and most hotels are
centrally located, so a car is not necessary for getting around.
Car Hire
The minimum age for hiring a car is 25 years –
drivers aged 23-24 years might be able to hire a car, although extra
charges applies. Overseas driving licences and International
Driving Permits are accepted.
Avis,
70 Lancefield Street (telephone: (0141) 221 2827), Budget
Glasgow Airport (telephone: (0141) 243 2047), Europcar,
38 Anderston Quay (telephone: (0141) 248 8788), Hertz,
138 Hydepark Street (telephone: (0141) 248 7736), National/Alamo,
76 Lancefield Quay, Strathclyde (telephone: (0141) 204 1051), and
Sixt Rent-a- car/Kenning,
1530 London Road, Parkhead (telephone: (0141) 556 7471).
Bicycle Hire
Bicycles are available for hire from West End Cycles,
16-18 Chancellor Street, Partick (telephone: (0141) 357 1344).
More information is available from the Cycling
Development Project (telephone: (0141) 287 9000) and the Cyclists
Touring Club (telephone: (0870) 873 0060), which has information
on local cycling clubs. Sustrans (telephone: (0131)
624 7660 or (01179) 290888) provides a list of cycling publications.
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