Glasgow reacts to free travel passes for COP26 attendees

We reported yesterday that residents are set to hold a demonstration next week for a better public transport system across the city.

It comes as organisers claimed Glaswegians have been 'calling for a universal travel card for years'.

Now we asked the city’s citizens how they felt about delegates getting free travel passes. 

Rabeel Imrane, who is 20 and from Muirend, Glasgow said: “It’s a bit annoying but I guess there are positives to it because instead of these people taking taxis everywhere they get to use renewable transport like electric busses.

"So, it probably works out that there’s less car emissions anyway.”

James Livingstone, who is 20 from Newton Mearns, Glasgow said: “I would say it’s wrong. Every man, woman and child has to pay and they should be subjected to the same standards we all are.”

David Aitken, who is 66 from Cardonald, Glasgow said: “That’s good. We’ve asked them to come to Glasgow, so we should treat them as our guests and treat them as well as possible.”

Mark MacGregor, who is 34 from Shawlands said: “Fair enough they need to get about, but the fact that an integrated travel system is available for these people and not for everyone else is the issue.”

Kate Ritchie, who is 71 from Parkhead, Glasgow said: “I don’t object to that -- I get free transport myself. I hope that the free transport helps them to come to the decisions they need to make and I hope it makes it easier for them. They’re paying over the top prices for accommodation so the least we can do is give them free transport.”

Ben Shephard, who is 49 and from Whiteinch said: “I didn’t know it was happening, but I think it’s good. I’m actually putting up a couple and have another coming on Monday.

"It’s very important that no matter what background or how cash strapped they are they still get to be here. I understand the impact on Glasgow, superficially many aspects don’t seem to be well organised and there isn’t appropriate help for the people of Glasgow.”

Theodore Sandhu, who is 17 from the West End said: “Why do delegates get that when we don’t? The total European spend on transport in a day is less than here. It doesn’t encourage people to use transport if it costs too much, they also have a singular card they can use whereas for us we need to pay separately.”

Morgan McLeod, who is 18 and from North Lanarkshire, said: “It’s quite annoying; my train fare has gone up, it used to be £4 and now it is £6.30. I understand, but they won’t really be using public transport because of how important they are, so we are the ones that need it most or should be thought of first. Hopefully it influences people to start taking more public transport to help the environment though.”

Rex Taylor, who is 81 and from Dowanhill, Glasgow, said: “This is a huge shopping window for Glasgow, I think we will get the benefits of this for years to come from the delegates. This is a city where interesting things have happened in the past. More interesting things will happen in the future, specifically with sustainability. Glasgow has a number of very interesting long-term projects, and the world should know about them.”

Ian Mcintyre, 62 and from Paisley, Renfrewshire, said: “There will be more achieved behind the scenes, I think the heads of state are just here for show. Twenty vehicle convoys and private jets - It’s just a soiree.”

Andrew Claase, who is 64 and from Glasgow, said: “I have no problem with it whatsoever, I don’t believe these people will even use it.”   

This article was written as part of a collaboration between The Glasgow Times and City of Glasgow College in which we are seeking to find and support the journalists of the future.