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23/07/2014 10:59
Glasgow 2014: Getting to the Games
"Are you Games Ready?" ask the overhead digital signs on the main motorways into Glasgow - host city for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Organisers have been putting huge effort into encouraging people to plan their journeys - with the event billed as a "public transport Games".

Certain days will have the biggest disruption in terms of road closures -
Saturday 26 and Sunday 27th July - the marathon takes place on Sunday 27th
Thursday 31 July - cycling time trial
Sunday 3 Aug - cycling road race and closing ceremony

All those with tickets for the sporting events will be able to travel for free on trains, buses and the city subway network.

However, up to half of the one million ticket holders have still to make or finalise plans for travelling to their events, according to research for Glasgow 2014.

"Many of the spectators know the city well, but it's important to remember venues and much of the transport network will operate differently from what people are familiar with," said Michael Renshaw, director of transport and logistics at Glasgow 2014.

"All venues have very different travel options and there is no general parking available. Spectators can help make their journeys as easy and stress free as possible by planning ahead."

Games lanes

The Games lanes came into force on Monday and will remain until events finish on 3 August.

GRN stands for Games Route Network and the puzzling purple signs are aimed at those involved in transporting athletes and officials to and from venues along the designated lanes.

They are like bus lanes - no cars, taxis or bikes allowed. You cannot cross them and parking and loading will be restricted along the whole games route network.

Police Scotland has said it will issue £50 fines to drivers and cyclists caught using the lanes. Cars parked on the routes will be towed away and it will cost £150 to get vehicles released.

Rail and subway

Eight trains an hour will link Glasgow Central Low Level Station with Bridgeton, Dalmarnock and Exhibition Centre.

Extra carriages will be added to the busiest Games train services. As well as the extra carriage space, trains will also be running later than usual.

The Edinburgh-Glasgow route will have longer trains and will offer a quarter-hourly service throughout the day.

The full timetable can be accessed via ScotRail.

There will be a one-way system in place for those travelling from Glasgow Central Low Level station and Argyle Street during the Games.

Those heading west towards Partick, Dalmuir, Balloch, Milngavie and Helensburgh must use Glasgow Central Low Level station instead.

Meanwhile, those travelling east towards Rutherglen, Bellshill, Hamilton, Motherwell, Lanark and Larkhall must get on at Argyle Street station.

It only applies to people boarding trains, so customers can get off at either station. Journeys on other lines will be unaffected.

Glasgow subway will be running shuttle buses after 23:00 on week nights and extending times until 01:00 over the weekends.

Bus

First Bus has invested in 109 new buses that will form part of a 380-strong fleet used to shuttle athletes, officials, media and spectators around the city.

In addition to local public transport, Glasgow 2014 is providing dedicated spectator shuttle bus services for some of the larger events or the venues that are less accessible by public transport, including Hampden Park, Ibrox Stadium, Cathkin Braes, Celtic Park and Strathclyde Country Park.

These services, which are available for ticket holders only, will operate on a 'fill and go' basis, with buses leaving up to every two minutes.

They will depart from and return to Buchanan Bus Station in the city centre.

First Bus has estimated that, at peak times, buses could be leaving venues every 20 seconds.

Park and Ride

Using cars to get to venues is being actively discouraged, with road closures and restrictions around all 14 venues.

For those intending to drive to some of the larger, or less accessible events, a park and ride service is available.

It is priced at £5 per vehicle and must be booked in advance.

The service is available for the opening and closing ceremony and events at Hampden, Ibrox, Cathkin Braes and Strathclyde Country Park.

The park and ride sites are located at Baldinnie Road in Easterhouse, Blochairn, Eurocentral in Lanarkshire, the Freescale premises in East Kilbride, Hamilton International Park and Braehead and Silverburn shopping centres.

On foot or by bike

Organisers have billed walking to the venues as a "chance to take in the Games-time buzz".

Special signs and pavement markings give spectators and visitors estimated journey times to venues as well as transport and festival hubs around the city.

Walking time from George Square to the SECC precinct is estimated at 35 minutes. A 40-minute stroll from the city centre will take you to the Emirates Arena, the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome and Celtic Park, with a slightly longer 52-minute trek out to Hampden.

Glasgow City Council, in partnership with Nextbike GmbH, has also introduced a "Boris-style" cycle hire scheme.

During the Games, about 400 bikes will be available at 36 locations across the city. They are bookable online or by telephone.

Courtesy of bbc.co.uk/news