A PETITION calling on Glasgow Subway bosses to reinstate 10 and 20-journey tickets has almost doubled in numbers.

Almost 2000 people have pledged their support for an online campaign that is also calling for an extension to morning and evening services.

The tickets were scrapped last month in advance of the introduction of the Bramble card, which will be similar to London's Oyster card. Bramble will allow travellers to top up the card with cash, with the cost of each journey deducted each time it is swiped.

But many people are unhappy the 20-journey ticket is no longer available and insist they face a "massive" increase in the cost of travel.

The petition was drawn up by Glasgow University scientist Frank Christian, who lives in Partick.

He said: "The service times of the Glasgow Subway are not satisfactory.

"People often need to get around the city before 6.30am and particularly after 11pm.

"The situation is even worse on Sundays, when there is only limited service available between 10am and 6.30pm .

"It is not even possible to get into town for a cultural event on a Sunday evening, for example.

"On top of that the popular 10 and 20 journey tickets, which cost £12 and £22, were scrapped without public consultation.

"Season tickets are far more expensive. They are £45 for 28 days and less flexible compared to 10/20 journey tickets because they expire. This lets down frequent but not daily travellers."

An SPT spokesman said: "During implementation of the new system, the old magnetic stripe ticket gates and new smart ticket technology is working side by side.

"We cannot use the 10 and 20 multi-journey tickets at a station with new gates because there is no way for a smart gate to take a journey from a magnetic-stripe ticket or vice-versa.

"Once the transition work is finished, our new Bramble card will offer a range of flexible tickets and a travel "purse" permitting options such as pay as you go tickets."

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk