GLASGOW'S Subway is set to carry its 14millionth passenger in a year.

An additional 900,000 journeys have been made since January and, if the trend continues, more than 14m will have been made in the 12 months up to the end of next month.

Alistair Watson, chairman of transport agency Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, is delighted by the figures.

He said: "Fourteen million journeys is a fantastic vote of confidence in the Subway.

Reader Poll Should more cash be spent on Glasgow's Subway network? Yes 95.1% No 4.9% Don't know 0.0%

"Despite the age of the system and the fact it needs continued investment and refurbishment, passengers still value the service."

The increasing use of the Subway comes against a background of criticism over its opening hours and customers were also left confused about which stations were open when some services ran extended hours in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Watson agreed people would like to see the service permanently open longer.

However, he said research commissioned by the SPT showed a high percentage of travellers believed service was good, with more than 61% saying it was good value for money.

Operations director David Wallace said: "We are not saying the Subway is perfect. We recognise it is old and desperately needs investment.

"There have been continuing calls for the Subway to have longer operating hours. We agree with that and have been looking at ways to do that.

"But it can only be delivered in a big way if we get more money. That would improve the tunnels and tracks and modernise the maintenance system. Then it would be possible to look at much longer hours. "

More than £3m was spent during the year on projects that included upgrading the rolling stock, introducing a hi-tech maintenance system, a new public announcement system and work necessary to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act.

This month, plans were unveiled for a possible £210million expansion of the Subway, including a new line from Bridgeton to Celtic Park.

If funding is found, the aim is to have it operational before the city hosts the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Green Party MSP Patrick Harvie backed the call for more investment.

He said: "As the streets become increasingly jam-packed, more people want quality public transport. Investing in the Subway will help deliver a better system."