Metro – Wayfinding – Accessibility

Metro4All app for Glasgow

31.03.2015

From now on web and mobile Metro4All apps contain data on 12 cities. Now you can check station layouts, exit numbers and location, and learn about barriers in Glasgow subway in our apps.

Glasgow subway system consists of one circle line which joins 15 stations. The subway was built in 1891 – 1896, and no stations has been opened since, which partly explains the stations’ architecture and their wheelchair inaccessibility.

All important passengers info is available by the subway entrance.
entrance

Trains follow subway circle in Outer (clockwise) or Inner (counter-clockwise) direction.

station

Tunnels, platforms, trains – everything looks tiny. Each subway train consists of 4 small coaches.

DSC_0045

Wider turnstiles are for people with mobility impairment, children under five, luggage or assistance dogs.

turnstile

There are tactile marking and benches at the platforms.

platform

All stairs are very steep, handrails sometimes end prematurely at platform stairs. Some stairs are also very narrow (less than one meter wide).

stairs

Escalators are installed at 9 stations out of 15. You can use it for a pushchair only if it’s folded and carried. There are no elevators in Glasgow subway.

esacalator_sign

Wayfinding signs and information are very clear.

exit_sign

exit_map

At Hillhead station there is even a detailed station plan available for passengers.

Hillhead_scheme

And with Metro4All help there is now a possibility to identify each exit by its number.

exit_numbers

Judging by the huge amount of warning notices, Glasgow subway is considered to be a popular place for different crime activities (for the record, we hadn’t encountered anything suspicious, probably because we were the most suspicious people there).

warning1

warning2

Total numbers for Glasgow subway:

  • There are 50 entrance and exit routes at 15 stations
  • None of the stations is equipped with elevators or wheelchair platforms
  • Escalators are installed at 4 stations.
  • There are no stations accessible for wheelchair users at Glasgow subway. Average number of steps to climb while entering/leaving the station – 23 steps.
  • For parents with baby-strollers 2 stations are accessible (Partick and Govan).

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