T&G union members are staging a 48-hour strike

The walkout by members of the T&G on Friday and Saturday is the fourth in a long-running dispute.

Strathclyde Passenger Transport abandoned attempts to run a limited service between the busiest stations.

But it is running shuttle buses between Govan and Partick, and from Shields Road to St Enoch station.

'Alternative transport'

First ScotRail will honour subway season and multi-journey tickets on Friday and Saturday between Queen Street and Partick, it said.

Douglas Ferguson, SPT's director of operations, said: "We apologise to passengers for the disruption caused by these strikes.

"We are doing all we can to resolve this dispute and to provide alternative means of transport."

He said that SPT had made a "very fair offer to the subway staff" and was "disappointed" it had been rejected.

Mr Ferguson said: "Our final offer is worth 8.4% immediately with another 1% payable when new rosters are adopted.

The more strikes there are the less money there is available to pay for any kind of increase Douglas Ferguson SPT

"A further 1% productivity and flexibility payment is also available for 2006/07 over and above any cost of living increase.

"Staff need to realise that there is no new money available. Any increase beyond the two-year 5.9% rise accepted by other local authority workers, has to be paid for by corresponding improvements in flexibility and productivity.

"It can't work any other way. The more strikes there are the less money there is available to pay for any kind of increase."

The T&G announced last Thursday that it was stepping up its action after a third one-day strike had brought chaos to thousands of commuters in the city.

'Great disservice'

T&G regional organiser Scott Foley said there were growing concerns that SPT's plans to finance any pay increase would compromise safety at work for drivers, station masters and other subway staff.

He said: "By failing to address the pay and conditions issues in a fair manner, the management at SPT have done a great disservice to the travelling public in Glasgow.

"We regret any inconvenience to the public who receive excellent service on a daily basis from our members.