Exclusive:No free travel for Commonwealth Games ticket holders - unlike 2014
Calls for parking restrictions at venues and more bus priority measures
Commonwealth Games ticket holders will not be offered free travel to events unlike during the previous Games in the city in 2014, The Scotsman has learned.
Back then, fans made 200,000 trips on the Glasgow Subway while ScotRail ran an extra 1,800 trains as part of a move by organisers to minimise car travel at what they called the "walking, cycling and public transport Games".
However, Glasgow 2026 said spectators would have to pay for travel to this year’s ten days of events between July 23 and August 2, which the Scottish Greens described as “extremely disappointing”.
A Glasgow 2026 spokesperson said: “This edition of the Games will be hosted in existing venues across an eight-mile corridor within the city, all of which are connected by fantastic public transport and active travel [walking, cycling and wheeling] links.
“As with other events staged at these venues across the year, there are no public transport services included with the ticket.
“The organising company will work with transport operators to communicate to all ticket holders relevant travel information, journey planning guidance and any general advice required to support spectators to utilise public transport or active travel.
“This forms part of Glasgow 2026’s commitment to a hosting a greener Games.”
Glasgow Scottish Labour MSP Paul Sweeney, who raised the issue with connectivity minister Jim Fairlie in October, told him: “We provided free public transport for the 2014 games and, in 2021, for the 26th United Nations climate change conference of the parties—COP26.
“Surely, then, the minister should, in tandem with the transport providers, explore all options to introduce temporary free public transport.”
But Mr Fairlie said the Scottish Government was not responsible for transport at the Games and it was up to organisers Glasgow 2026.
Mr Sweeney accused ministers and Glasgow City Council of a “lack of commitment to making the event as good as it could be” which he said was “exposed by this parochial lack of proactivity on public transport”.
He said: “It's still not too late to sort this situation out. A deal with all the key public transport operators in Greater Glasgow can be quickly agreed so that anyone with Games accreditation or an event ticket for that day can ride for free."
Glasgow Scottish Greens MSP Patrick Harvie said: “The Games are expected to bring hundreds of thousands of people to Glasgow. That’s great news for the city, but it will also bring challenges like congestion and pollution.
“Integrating public transport into tickets is a proven solution to these challenges.
It’s been successful across Europe at major events like Euro 2024 and at the 2014 Games.
“It’s extremely disappointing to hear the Games don’t plan to reuse this solution, and I’d strongly encourage them to reconsider.”
Sustainable transport campaigners Transform Scotland called for curbs on parking at Games venues and greater priority for buses and active travel.
Director Colin Howden said: “As part of the plan to encourage ticket holders to use public transport and active travel, the organising company will also need to ensure car parking at the venues is limited to essential users.
“The Games should also be used as a focal point for securing greater on-street priority for bus users and those travelling by bike or on foot, even if these measures are temporary measures for the duration on the Games.”
Glasgow Scottish Conservatives MSP Annie Wells said: “People who have been looking forward to the Commonwealth Games will be disappointed that free travel isn’t included with their pricey tickets.
“The SNP claim they want to cut emissions, but now more people will have to use their cars to get to the venues.
“These were meant to be greener games, but this decision will have the opposite effect.”
Scottish Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Jamie Greene said: “As a sporting event attracting thousands of visitors to Glasgow, both the Scottish Government and the organisers should be doing everything possible to make the most of that opportunity.
“There is a frustration about public transport in Glasgow, including with unreliable bus services and the absence of a direct link between the airport and the city centre.”
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