Overview

I visited Glasgow Central in June 2024 to spend time with the Passenger Assistance team. I had a peek behind the curtain and put together a sneaky wee review of this 15-platform station (17 if you count the two low-level platforms). Before the advent of mobile phones, this was a meeting place for friends, families and that boy or girl you fancied. There's many a love story that started "Below the Big Clock". Taking the escalator down from the upper level takes you out to the bridge over Argyle Street, known locally as the Heilanman's (Highland man's) Umbrella, so-named as during the second phase of the Highland Clearances, this would be the first shelter provided to Highlanders seeking work in the city. First opened in 1879, one word sums up this station. History

Transport & Parking

The station has no public on-site parking but is accessible in many other ways. There are parking spaces on the nearby streets, where a blue badge can be used but otherwise, it's £1 for every 15 minutes - not the cheapest! There's an NCP car park on nearby Oswald Street, which will be expensive but far cheaper than on-street parking. Glasgow Central is easily accessed by bus, taxi, train (oddly enough) or low-level trains. Those using the Subway will need to get off at St Enoch - please keep in mind that there are only two accessible stations on Glasgow's Subway Network! I arrived by train on the Ayr line, which tends to leave from and arrive at the higher-numbered platforms.

Access

The access is good, however, there is no step-free access from the Union Street entrance. Both the Gordon Street and Hope Street entrances have ramped access and the Argyle Street/lower Hope Street entrance has a lift that goes up to Platform 14. There's plenty of seating in the station, six different coffee shops, Boots, Marks and Spencer, Oliver Bonas, WH Smiths and a few other small stores. Central Station is one of two stations in Scotland, the other being Waverly Station in Edinburgh, to have a BSL display on the departures board. This can even be updated to reflect delays by a quick message being sent by the station staff. The change is signed and recorded and then updated on the display. A hearing loop is active at the station. Tactile pavements are used throughout the station at platform edges for passengers' safety, There are large gates at each platform for those who need extra space.

Toilets

There are two accessible toilets at the station. The first is on your left, just before WH Smith when you enter from the Gordon Street entrance. A Radar Key unlocks the entryway, there's an intercom to call for staff if you don't have one, and the Passenger Assistance team have a key. The signage could be better here, as many I've spoken with don't know it exists. The corridor has two areas, the baby change room, which does not have a toilet, and the accessible toilet. The toilet is spacious, with plenty of room for a carer. The toilet seat is a standard height and features grabrails on either side. There is a low sink with grabrails on either side, with a mirror above the sink. The soap dispenser, toilet roll holder and hand dryer are all wall-mounted but can be reached from a seated position. There's a full-length mirror and the door opens inward. The red emergency cord hung to the floor. The second toilet is close to Costa Coffee, on the way to Platforms 11-14. The door is located down a signposted corridor. This door also needs a radar key but there is a local intercom to request help if you don't have one. There are grabrails on either side of the toilet, though transfer is only possible from your right. The low sink also has grabrails on both sides and the soap dispenser, toilet roll holder and hand dryer are all wall-mounted. As with the other toilet, there is a full-length mirror, the door opens inward and the space is large enough to accommodate several carers

Staff

Anything else you wish to tell us?

Glasgow Central also has an amazing Passenger Assistance Team, who are eager to help and support customers with any mobility needs. For those who require to be driven to the train, there are three active Passenger Assistance buggies at the station at any time, all with fun names! Spending the day with the team, I was able to see how well they work together, how they manage challenges and just how professional they are.

Photos