Government urges commuters and businesses to travel differently during London 2012
Londoners urged to think differently about how they travel during Olympic Games.
Transport Minister, Norman Baker, today (3 August 2011) urged commuters and businesses in London to think differently about how they travel during the Olympic Games, as he marked a year to go to what is likely to be one of the busiest days on the transport network.
Modelling by games organisers predict that 3 August 2012 will see an extra three million trips made on top of the 12 million trips on public transport made during an average London workday. This is due to it being the first day for track and field, and with events at larger capacity venues such as the Olympic Stadium, Horse Guards Parade and the Aquatics Centre, the number of spectators are likely to peak.
In order to manage the increased number of people using the capital’s transport network, the government wants commuters and Londoners to travel and work differently during the games. For example commuters who live near work, or travel short distances within central London, are being urged to cycle or walk to work. Those who live further away are being encouraged to try different routes; stagger their journey times to avoid the busiest periods; work remotely; or use video conferencing for meetings.
Norman Baker was speaking at BT where he was shown innovative new ways for businesses and individuals to work remotely from both home and the office. He said:
The games will be a once-in-a-generation test for both our transport system and our adaptability. As we edge ever closer to the Olympics, hand-in-hand with new investment must go new solutions.
I am the first ever transport minister to have official responsibility for alternatives to travel and the Olympics will be a key time to really embrace these ideas. It’s time to oil the creaking bike, dig out the walking boots, work out how to use the video conferencing equipment, and fire up the laptop gathering dust at the back of the cupboard.
And of course government has to play its part - at DfT we’ll be cutting our travel footprint by half during the games, with similar initiatives across Whitehall. But all businesses need to play their part too - there’s plenty of help and advice out there so no excuse why we can’t reduce the amount we travel during the 17 days of the games.
In the run up to the Olympics around £6.5 billion has been invested in upgrading and extending transport links including the first ever domestic high speed train in Britain, new stations, more tube trains and line extensions. And, as well as the big ticket items, investment has been put into everyday improvements such as innovative customer travel information systems and more user-friendly walking, cycling and river routes.
Stuart Hill, BT’s Vice-President for central government and 2012, said:
BT is working to make London 2012 the most connected games ever - not just for people at home, but for organisations too. BT is working with businesses and public sector bodies of all sizes to help minimise the impact of travel disruption during the games.
We offer a range of communications services that will help them to boost productivity while eliminating costs. This includes our deployment of super-fast fibre broadband services, cloud-based voice and data services, secure remote working services and video conferencing. By investing in flexible working solutions such as these now, organisations can ensure they remain fit for the games and well into the future.
Up to 800,000 spectators and 55,000 athletes, officials, organisers and members of the media will be travelling to and from the Olympic venues every day. The overall transport ambition is to reduce non-Olympics demand during the Olympics by 30 percent, although there will need to be larger reductions at specific stations and lines.
Hugh Robertson, Minister for Sport and the Olympics, said:
The transport network has received significant investment to ensure it is able to cope with the demands of games time, but we also need the assistance of London businesses to help everybody travel around the capital smoothly. By thinking creatively and adjusting travel patterns next summer, we can ensure that everybody gets to their destination and London keeps moving.
The Department for Transport has committed to reduce the travel footprint of the department by 50 per cent at games time. DfT staff will reduce commuting, keep business travel to a minimum, and rearrange deliveries and collections where possible. The department is testing out different ways of working and travelling in a trial week from 8 -12 August 2011 and has a wider programme of work with business representatives to develop a strategy on alternatives that will reduce the need for commuting and business trips - not just now but looking forward to the next 20 years.
Further information
Businesses of all sizes who wish to sign up for the free travel advice can email keeponrunning@london2012.com or visit London 2012: Travel advice for business for more information and advice.
There are more than 12 million public transport journeys in the capital daily and Londoners are already benefiting from a transport legacy before the games, delivered by all 2012 transport partners - LOCOG, ODA, TfL, Network Rail, Highways Agency, Mayor and DfT - working in partnership, including:
- 50% increase in DLR capacity with line extended to Woolwich and, soon, Stratford International
- extra capacity on the Jubilee line - with an increase to 27 trains an hour (from 24 an hour) - will be delivered by the end of July
- extra capacity on the Central line
- refurbished and extended London Overground services on the East London and North London lines
- upgrades to national rail services on the Lea Valley and Great Eastern lines
- upgraded traffic signals and junctions on the ORN, so traffic runs smoothly
- King’s Cross-St Pancras and Stratford stations essentially rebuilt and expanded, with step-free access and extra capacity
- Southfields step-free and Green Park will be step-free before the games, a vital accessibility hub
- improved walking and cycling routes serving the Olympic Park
- Barclays Cycle Hire scheme will reach Stratford by 2012
Norman Baker was given a demonstration by BT of a global voice service that provides a variety of access types, on-net and off-net call handling, integration with mobility and unified communications solutions. He also saw ways to streamline business communications by combining enterprise voice, presence, instant messaging and conferencing in a single, unified platform.
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