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None of the expected eight million 2012 Olympic spectators will be allowed to drive to the event, according to the latest transport plan from event organisers. A car exclusion zone will be set up around the venues, which only disabled people, competitors and officials will be able to enter with a car.
"This is not about banning people from using their cars, but about making public transport, walking and cycling the most attractive option for spectators traveling to the Games," says Olympic Delivery Authority chief executive, David Higgins.
However, the roads will be far from empty, because a fleet of 3,500 cars will be bought for use by officials and VIPs. It’s yet to be decided what type of cars will be used, but SmartPlanet was told it's likely a deal will be struck with one of the Olympic sponsors. Unfortunately, this may exclude the small electric car companies, so we probably won't get to see six-foot-plus athletes folded up into G-Wizs.
However, we non-VIPs will have to take public transport, walk or bike to the Olympics. To help with this surge in demand, a range of rail improvements are planned, some of which are almost ready. The Olympic Javelin shuttle, for instance, launches its first services as soon as next month.
When the time comes, personalised travel instructions will be sent out with tickets, to make sure that people are aware of how to use all these fancy new trains. Discounted rail tickets will also be on offer, and Londoners going to an event will even get a free all-zones travel card.
Arranging transportation for Olympic spectators is an enormous task. As well as ensuring that millions of people get where they need to go, organisers are under pressure to make sure they do so with minimal impact on the environment -- and that these expensive improvements will be useful for the city once the Olympics are over. Hopefully, everything will go off without a hitch and we can reap the benefits for years to come.
02 November 2007 12:21am
I don't envy the people that have to come up with that transportation system. I wonder if the lack of parking will significantly impact the crime rates for the Games, as there will be no spectator vehicles to break into. It will certainly help the overall appearance of the area if there doesn't need to be a several story garage every few blocks.
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