City centre club boss Donald MacLeod wants the service to coincide with late-night World Cup matches and the Commonwealth Games next summer.
John Ferguson, Dan Vevers and Sean Murphy What’s On Editor
12:13, 22 Dec 2025
With Scotland on the way to the World Cup thanks to that Scott McTominay goal it’s hoped fans in Glasgow will be given a free night bus service.(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt/Getty )
A top Glasgow nightclub owner is backing calls for a free night bus service in Glasgow next summer to help breathe life into the city centre.
Owner of two of the city’s longest-running clubs, the Cathouse and the Garage, Donald MacLeod, hopes the new service would run around the same time as late-night World Cup matches and the Commonwealth Games.
The industry stalwart believes the cost could be met by the millions of pounds raised from bus lane fines and says it would encourage thousands of football fans and tourists during the major events to socialise in town with a safe and reliable way of getting home, reports the Daily Record.
With games against Haiti on June 14 at 2 am, and Morocco and Brazil beginning at 11 pm, Scotland fans are hoping pubs and clubs can get a late license to screen the matches.
However, it means many fans could again be left stranded without late night public transport due to the timings.
Night Club boss Donald MacLeod outside the famous Garage night spot in Glasgow(Image: Daily Record)
The club boss said: “There will rightly be calls for venues to be given late licenses to screen World Cup matches and there is the potential for an incredible summer with football and the Commonwealth Games bringing millions of people into the city.
“This could provide a badly needed boost for the night-time economy, and great nights out for thousands of people.
“But people need to know that they can travel home safely afterwards and people cannot always afford taxis.
“I am calling for an expanded and free night bus service over the summer. This could be paid for many times over with the tens of millions raised from bus gates each year.
“This money was supposed to be used to improve public transport and this would be an excellent way of doing that which helping to boost the economy and keep people safe.”
The Commonwealth Games meanwhile is expected to deliver a huge boost to Glasgow’s beleaguered hospitality sector which has been hit by sky high energy costs, tax rises and lower footfall since the pandemic.
Glasgow City Council did not dismiss the proposal when contacted by the Sunday Mail.
A spokesperson said: “Our transport strategy places a strong emphasis on improving bus travel, and while we do not operate services directly, we are working closely with a range of partners to enhance bus provision for Glaswegians.”
The Scottish Beer and Pub Association (SBPA) has described it as a “once-in-a-generation” event which could boost the economy, but warned it could be thwarted by licensing regulations which vary across the country..
SBPA senior policy manager, Paul Togneri, said: “We need licensing boards to show flexibility and allow pubs to open their doors, that’s why we’re calling for temporary licensing statements for the whole of the tournament.”
The Commonwealth Games from July 23 to August 2 meanwhile have been hailed as a huge opportunity for the hospitality industry, with the 2014 Games estimated to have generated £282million and attracted 690,000 visitors.