GLASGOW commuters are being tempted to ditch their cars and ride to work on the Subway ... with a free breakfast.

GLASGOW commuters are being tempted to ditch their cars and ride to work on the Subway ... with a free breakfast.

Subway bosses hope to entice more passengers - and fill their stomachs - by handing out free goodie-bags full of food such as porridge oat bars and fruit.

The big brekkie giveaway will take place between 7am and 9am on Monday, September 22.

Passengers boarding at Buchanan Street, Shields Road, St Enoch or Kelvinbridge will be offered a free goodie-bag and vouchers for more food deals.

There will also be a carnival atmosphere in stations, with upbeat morning songs from live performers to brighten up the daily commute.

The move is aimed at encouraging commuters to leave their cars at home on International Car Free Day, part of European Mobility Week.

The event sponsors include MacB fruit flavoured drinks, Stoats porridge oat bars, James Mackie fresh fruit supplier, Subway sandwiches and Greggs the baker.

JOHN FITZPATRICK, 54 Chemical process control room operator, Kilwinning: I would use the Subway if bosses are giving away a free breakfast. It is a good idea and will encourage people to use the Subway rather than take a car.	DEBBIE DURNAN, sales manager, Glasgow: I use the train to get to work, but if I was to get a free breakfast then the Subway is something I would use. I am sure it will be popular with people.	DAVID McFARLANE, 48 Designer, Paisley: It will not make me use the Subway more because I do not think it is a big deal. I used the Subway yesterday and it is very convenient, but I will not use it just to get a free breakfast.

The free breakfasts will be given out at special fuelling stations' in the Subway stations, along with information about switching to public transport.

Alistair Watson, chairman of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, said: "We want to drive home the message that public transport is safer, more reliable, cheaper, cleaner and greener than using a car - not to mention less stressful.

"Our free breakfast will no doubt encourage commuters on to the Subway during Car Free Day but we want the people of Strathclyde to see public transport a long-term option and make a total switch away from car use.

"With modern day concerns like rising fuel costs, the credit crunch and global warming there has never been a better time to make the change.

"More people are using public transport for a number of reasons, one of them being the increased cost of fuel.

"Commuters are making different choices about how they get to and from their place of work and we are experiencing a steady increase in the number of people who use our product."

European Mobility Week, on September 16-22, aims to encourage people out of their cars and on to public transport or bicycles or to walk.

Bus operator First recently revealed how more Glasgow motorists are opting to leave their cars at home and use public transport.

They believe the 5% switch to buses is largely down to improved services and facilities on the eight Streamline routes in the city.

Streamline, which uses technology to track buses and stick to timetables, was introduced three years ago.

A passenger survey found 71% were satisfied or very satisfied with Streamline services and almost three-quarters felt services had improved.

EMMA FARRELL, Sales manager, city centre: It is a good idea and will make me use the Subway instead of taking the bus. It will be something that will be useful to a lot of people.

CLAUDIA MacCARTHY, 19 Student, Glasgow: Giving away free breakfasts is a good initiative, but I do not think it is a reason to change getting the bus, train or car. It will increase the number of people who use the Subway, but not by a large amount.

SIMON GARROW, 21Management trainee, South Side: If they are giving away a free breakfast then it will encourage me to use the Subway. I use it now and again, but the breakfast idea is a good one.

For Subway passengers who need to drive part of the way to work, SPT offers park-and-ride facilities at Kelvinbridge, Shields Road and Bridge Street stations.

SPT recently announced plans for major improvements to Buchanan Street station's moving walkways.

The £342,000 contract is part of SPT's bid to boost passenger numbers - currently almost 15million a year.

Moving walkways in the city centre station will have energy-saving devices and safety features added to help extend their lifespan and make them greener, cleaner and safer to use.

Work will be carried out in two stages, the first taking 12 to 14 weeks, during which time the walkways will not be available to passengers.

SPT says they will be back in use for the Christmas and New Year period.