London has offered its advice to the 2016 Olympics host Rio de Janeiro on how to run a successful public transport system during the world’s largest sporting spectacle.
The London Assembly has written a letter to the Brazilian Ambassador giving its views on what helped London’s trains and buses run smoothly during the event.
Sixty million passengers used the Tube during the Games – around 14 million more than normal – double the number of passengers rode the DLR and passenger numbers were up 47 per cent on the London Overground.
In the letter, chair of the Transport Committee Caroline Pidgeon suggests that major investment in infrastructure, extensive testing and collaboration between operators is the key to running an effective public transport network during a Summer Games.
Caroline Pidgeon said: “Major transport investment, good passenger information and operator collaboration all led to an effective, smooth-running transport network during summer 2012 – part of the package that made London 2012 such a success.
“Rio faces new – and different – challenges in the run up to the Games in 2016, but London’s experiences can bring lessons to the table that are relevant to all cities planning to host the Olympics, World Cup or other major sporting events.
“We must now make sure the £7.2 billion invested in transport allows London to gain its own Olympic legacy. Smooth-running, reliable public transport, better passenger information and accessibility for all, must be the daily norm for passengers.
“Moving forward, lessons learnt could also potentially lead to the Tube running later at night and better transport co-ordination for future events held in the capital.”
“The high-performing transport system of London 2012 must become an everyday experience for Londoners and not just an exceptional, one-off achievement only beneficial over the Olympic summer.”
