Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) on Friday awarded £200 million of contracts to the Swiss-Italian consortium of Stadler Bussnang AG and Ansaldo STS Consortium for the supply of new driverless Glasgow Subway trains, signalling and equipment.

SPT said the consortium offered “the best value and solution option to deliver the contract.”

SPT chief executive Gordon Maclennan said: “This contract is a key part of our plan to modernise the subway for generations to come.

“We are all aware of the proud rail history of the subway as the third oldest in the world and our plans for modernisation will ensure that the subway continues to be an essential component in the transport network of the future.”

The SPT said the dimensions of the Glasgow Subway are unique, and therefore the new trains will be the same length and size as existing rolling stock.

However the new trains will be a four-car set, as opposed to the current three-car set, with open gangways to maximise the space available and allow for wheelchair access.

The subway’s signalling equipment, control systems and control centre will all be replaced.

Peter Jenelten, executive vice president marketing & sales for Stadler said: “This project is a major milestone for Stadler. It is the first time that Stadler’s rolling stock will be part of a driverless underground system.”

Derek Mackay, Minister for Transport & Islands said: “I welcome the achievement of this important milestone in the project being taken forward by SPT to modernise the Glasgow Subway, towards the costs of which the Scottish Government will be providing up to £246 million, in line with the commitments we made in 2012.”