OFFICIALS have been forced to admit a £40 million transport project will not be completed in time for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Transport Scotland said that instead of the hi-tech vehicles which will be rolled out on the Fastlink route from the city to the SECC, chartered mini-buses, coaches and double-deckers will ferry officials and athletes to venues.

Even these are unlikely to be available to the general public for 2014, with officials still deciding whether spectators will be allowed on board.

Transport Scotland said the route, being built by the city council as part of transport measures for the Games, will be used in some capacity in 2014 but plans are still to be finalised.

Strathclyde Partnership for Transport said that after the Games it will close then open fully in 2015, when current bus operators will run their own services on the route.

A spokesman said: "SPT and its partners are in the process of providing the infrastructure for Fastlink which will be a component of the 2014 Commonwealth Games transport strategy. This strategy will be determined by the Commonwealth Games organising committee and Glasgow City Council."