Transportation Stories from London

With the 2012 Summer Olympics underway, we thought it might be interesting to summarize some of the public transportation stories coming out of London...


Pre-Olympics Road Sign

Of course, Londoners were well warned about expected congestion during the games. And changes like these began to take place:


Games Restricted Lane Marker

And there was an interlude where signs like these were seen:


Picture Taken July 7, 2012

But, no more. The fully games transport system is in operation. Now for some stories (including why you won't see one of these on the road):


London's Hydrogen Fuel Cell "Green" Bus

Security Theatre? London Parks Hydrogen Buses During Olympics for "Security Reasons". 

• Interesting story about both London's fabulous new hydrogen buses - and why they have been taken out of service during the Olympic Games.

London taxi drivers banned from protesting over Games Lane and London taxi protest.

• As you can imagine, London's cabbies are none too happy with driving bans that effect them - and their passengers. If you are in London, just don't equate "taxi" with "fast" during the games.

London Shortening Opening Ceremonies

• They did do this: they shortened the Opening Ceremonies, at the last minute, to ensure that attendees and participants could get home before public transportation ended. Too bad they didn't think about that sooner. Read the article to learn about what was cut and you didn't see.

London's Games Lanes confuse motorists 

• The special games lanes were in place, but as London drivers stayed out of them, they expressed both confusion (as to when and where they can use them) and frustration (upon sitting in traffic while the games lanes went unused.

Uruguay to alter Olympic travel after delays 

• Imagine athletes stuck in traffic on a bus for more than 7 hours - on their way to a competition - and you can guess why this is a bad news story....

London wins early "gold" in quiet Olympic commute 

• Transportation on the first business day of the Olympics went better than anticipated, perhaps because Londoners were indeed scared off from venturing into and around their city....

Emirates Air Line Thames cable car breaks down and New cable car over River Thames opens to passengers

• London has an exciting new transport option: the Emirates Air Line is a cable car that will lift you skyward from one side of the Thames to the other. It's rather cool, as it can carry 2,500 people, per hour, in each direction. The Air Line opened with great fanfare in late June, but just days before the games began, it broke down, leaving a group of people hanging, literally, for almost an hour over the river. (It is operating again, let's hope for no further problems).

Next stop Olympic Park: sprinting star Usain Bolt steps on to London Routemaster

• The world's fastest man has been taking the bus.... and making fans very happy through his appearances, interactions and tweets. It's just one such story emerging from London - and comes with awesome pictures!

Emirates Air Line Cars Crossing the River Thames

Finally, a few interesting tweets (all with pictures):

• @londonstuff: It’s King’s Cross. It’s the 8am rush hour. It’s the Olympics. It’s the Victoria line. It’s soooo crowded. Oh. pic.twitter.com/AJ3t51m0
• @philreaysmith: Bumped into Team Egypt on the Central Line. http://pic.twitter.com/IrH9bYSg 
• @1972roses: @usainbolt hanging out with his track shoes on a double-decker bus - what runner doesn't love this picture? http://bit.ly/NLRiPs
• @CJ_Daugherty: OH on the tube in London. Driver announces 'Next stop Victoria and Team GB just won the bronze in Gymnastics!' Tube erupts in cheers. :-)  
• @MissEllieMae: On the tube with Olympic tourists who have no idea about London travel etiquette. They are jovial and friendly. I don't like it. 
• @PeteBSW1: Brilliant new service getting you totally automatic refunds for delayed Tube journeys in #London @TfLRefund http://bit.ly/Nyykyt 
• @paullantz: Video: London 2012: David Cameron rides Tube to Olympic Park via @Telegraph http://soc.li/QUkNeDm
• @sidin: London transport coping well so far: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19039072 (There are volunteers everywhere. Mostly smiling.) 
• @SouthAfricaNew1: London transport under strain with Olympic commuters: Britain's much-maligned public transport system coped with... http://bit.ly/QPSUqy
• @bolognarose: Love this: Edible Bus Stop turns London transit routes into a network of community gardens http://bit.ly/O264mF via @grist

Tip: if you are in London, or plan to be, visit Transport for London for full information on options and current conditions.

London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic Volunteer transport pass