Public transport and the Olympics

[london1967]

The meltdown of the public transport system that many (including myself) had forecast and feared for the Olympics hasn't occurred (I'll just add a 'yet' to be cautious). This is probably thanks to a combination of many people going away and of many sensible Londoners avoiding non-necessary travelling.

Indeed, many businesses in central London are

Comments

[mrdreamjeans]

I just read a story yesterday talking about how empty the public transit is ... It's nice to get the perspective of someone who is living through the experience of The Olympics and actually dealing with the transit:)

[london1967]

It's quite surreal, especially as we were expecting the worst!

[bobalone]

Pleased to read that you haven't been inconvenienced too much. I have read a number of articles that suggest that London is quieter than usual, that people are staying away from the centre, and its attractions, and that businesses have lost a lot of income as a result. It's difficult for me to imagine a "quiet" Oxford Circus but that is the case, I am told. In advance of the games, I thought that the precautions seemed extreme but, then, I don't live there. I'm glad everything has run so smoothly.

[london1967]

Thank you, Bob.

Yes I don't think that Oxford Circus is ever going to be quiet! I should go and have a look to see if it is really true.

[holy13nation]

We came down to Brighton to avoid any bother (either transport snarl up or worse). W e have popped back and, other than it being even harder to get a taxi on Kennington Road, everything does seem to be remarkably calm. I do wonder if someone should call Johnson out about how quiet the centre is and businesses losing money, as it really was at his constant insistence people have avoided central London. We even had flyers through the door running up to the start of the games. I guess they couldn't know it would work too well.
Of course stories are now coming out about the forced rehousing on the etstates in Newham (Carpenter estate particularly and the draconian behaviour of LOCOG reps with even small local buisinesses just attempting to draw attention, not unreasonably, to themselves being in the area.
I hope we don't discover that the losses do out weigh the gains.

[london1967]

Yes I'm sure that they are just as surprised as we are!

I think that the gains will be short-lived; I really doubt that the games will boost the economy.

[maxauburn]

I wonder how much longer the Olympics will go on?

[london1967]

The closing ceremony is on Sunday, then a 2 and a half week rest before the Paralympics start.