PEOPLE aged 60 and over could travel free on the Glasgow Subway if pleas by regional transport experts are accepted.

Scottish Transport Minister Tavish Scott is being urged to extend the national concessionary fares scheme to the city's underground system.

Alistair Watson, chairman of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, which is responsible for the region's travel network, believes it would boost the city's public transport system by making it more accessible.

He believes the Scottish Executive will have to modify the concessionary scheme, which provides free bus travel for those aged 60 and over, if it backs plans to bring trams back to Edinburgh.

Mr Watson said part of the deal to build a £600million light railway system in the capital would mean a cut of around 40% in the number of Lothian Transport buses. It is an essential part of the overall scheme to make the trams economically viable and ease pressure on the roads.

Effectively, many passengers would be forced to use the trams instead of buses and Mr Watson predicted pressure would build on Mr Scott so passengers entitled to travel free would not lose out.

He is arguing Glasgow's underground system should also be added to the concessionary scheme.

He said: "The Subway is effectively a light rail network - a tram system that runs underground.

"Although I know the tram system they are promoting in Edinburgh would be excluded from concessionary fares under current legislation, there would be a strong case for change to ensure its success by changing the free fares scheme.

"If that went ahead, we would be seeking similar benefits, so I am writing to the Minister now to ask for exactly the same as what we think will happen in Edinburgh."

Mr Watson said extending the scheme would benefit thousands of people in Glasgow.

"It would make interchanging between buses and the Subway easier and more efficient," he said.

Mr Watson's proposal was backed by Anniesland MSP Bill Butler, who consistently campaigns for better transport links in Glasgow.

He said: "This is a splendid and imaginative idea. I would certainly urge Tavish Scott to look at the case for this, which seems to me to be practical and achievable.

"It's only fair that if it can be done in Edinburgh, the policy should be applied in Glasgow and elsewhere."

The plans to put trams back on Edinburgh streets are expected to go before the Executive for a final decision next month.

The concessionary scheme for free bus tickets was introduced last May and an Executive spokesman said there was an intention to review it after two years and any ideas put forward would be considered in the review.