THEY'RE set to be Glasgow's modern-day clippies.

But while they may not be able to tell passengers to "c'mon, get aff", the high-tech innovation will help bus-users to get a better service.

The new queue-busting initiative from bus operator First has been launched at Glasgow Airport to help passengers beat long waits for the Glasgow Shuttle service 500.

First Glasgow has invested in portable ticket machines to make it easier for customers to quickly get on board after landing at Glasgow Airport.

First Glasgow's managing director Fiona Kerr said: "Our portable ticket machines are helpful in assisting our service-delivery team at the airport to swiftly get our shuttle customers on board.

"It's particularly useful in the morning when there are queues of business travellers arriving at the airport and they need to get into the city centre very quickly.

"At peak times numerous flights and hundreds of people can arrive at the same time, which sometimes results in lengthy queues for the Glasgow Shuttle.

"I know that these new ticket machines will make it even easier to board our express service."

The investment gives First Glasgow's delivery managers portable ticket machines that are used to issue single, return or network tickets on the forecourt.

The ticket machines also record concession cardholder data.

This popular service makes more than 670,000 customer journeys annually and won the Best Bus Service 2013 prize at the Scottish Transport Awards in June last year.

John McConnell, head of commercial at BAA Glasgow, said: "We are delighted First Glasgow has invested in new ticket machines for its premium airport service.

"From arriving to departing, we are fully committed to ensuring our customers' airport journey is enjoyable and hassle-free and believe that the hand-held devices will play a major part in reducing peak-time queuing and improving our customers' overall airport experience."

The Glasgow Shuttle service 500 departs from stance one directly outside Glasgow Airport's terminal building and operates up to every 10 minutes, 24 hours a day.

For more information on First's Glasgow Shuttle service visit www.firstglasgow.com or call Traveline on 0871 200 2233.

catriona.stewart@ eveningtimes.co.uk