Glasgow has had many false dawns with big ticket transport projects, promised but not delivered.

For example, how many times have we heard talk of extending the Subway to the east or north? Sounds great but not likely to happen given the cost.

We have heard talk of trams before as well. Remember the Fastlink along the Clydeside that quickly went from light rail to a jumped-up bus lane that is hardly used and makes little or no difference in the city centre.

Crossrail was endlessly proposed to link up the north and south rail networks without having to change, not just trains but stations. Sadly, also another, which despite the benefits, has never been delivered.

Then there is the Glasgow Airport Rail Link, scrapped as being too costly and then it became the Airport Access Project with the City Deal cash, which was also scrapped.

And then it was shuttles or pods to Paisley which was, you guessed it, scrapped.

Now we have the Glasgow Metro with the first line to start at the airport and first stop Paisley Gilmour Street Station and then work its way eastwards into the city centre.

The commitments from the council and their counterparts in Renfrewshire to move forward with it are welcome as is the statement from the First Minister that the Glasgow Metro is to be considered in the latest strategic Transport Projects Review.

It could provide a solution to the only way in and out of the airport being via the M8, which at peak times is heavily congested.

It does mean passengers having to change at Paisley Gilmour street to catch the existing train service to Glasgow but it is better than what we have at present.

What cannot be allowed to happen is for the airport Metro phase to be completed and for it to be left at that.

The Glasgow Metro is a long-term ambitious project but one that is achievable and one that Glasgow needs.

It was the big eye catching recommendation of the Connectivity Commission to transform transport from the outer edges of Glasgow into the centre.

We have plenty of buses just now, not always at the right time or in the right places.

The number of passengers using the bus in the wider Glasgow region has dropped hugely in the last ten years.

At the same time bus journeys are taking longer, up to 60% longer.

Other cities have tram networks that are an improvement on their public transport.

Edinburgh already links the city centre and airport with a tram. The trip from Princes Street is around 9 miles taking about half an hour. Glasgow to the airport is a similar distance from the city centre.

The full Metro plan includes lines across the city including to the north and the east of Glasgow.

A tram line along Edinburgh Road or Gallowgate/London Road would benefit communities on the route giving them a good, reliable alternative to the bus.

To the north there are few train stations and they are far from where the majority of the population lives and if you are on the Maryhill line to Anniesland then you will often find the services are the first to be cancelled, sacrificed to allow other more lucrative ones to run.

In the last 20 years we have had new motorways, the M77, the M80 and the M74 extension.

In that time passengers will tell you that the train services have not improved but the fares have gone up.

We have had bus fares going up twice in some years at the same times as routes are axed and services cut.

Glasgow must take control of the public transport network. We have the lowest car ownership but in an era where we must reduce emissions and car use then the alternative has to be a good public transport network.

It must be more attractive and affordable than taking a car for short trips and trips into the city centre.

Along with the metro we need to improve what we already have. Get a grip on rocketing fares and unreliable services.

A city like Glasgow depends on a coherent, connected and affordable public transport system.

One that is run with passengers needs the priority not the profit of whoever happens to run it at that time

The words from Susan Aitken and Nicola Sturgeon are welcome. What will be more welcome is shovels in the ground and work starting on this project.

And while we are waiting we need to improve the current offering.

The rail link has been politicised ever since John Swinney, when he was Finance Secretary, suddenly scrapped it in 2009 budget.

The Metro can make a big difference to transport in Glasgow for decades to come.

But because it is proposed to start at the airport and be the solution to airport surface access it has potential for political fallings out

It must not become embroiled in party political bickering and become yet another failure.