Transport for LondonThe London 2012 legacy
Massive investment in London's transport infrastructure was made ahead of the Games to ensure its success and to leave a lasting legacy for Londoners and visitors. We have learnt a huge amount in our preparations for London 2012 and during the Games themselves. We are committed to making more changes in the future months and years to continue to improve London's transport services.
Better connections
Ahead of the Games, around £6.5bn was invested in upgrading and extending transport links to increase capacity and improve services. Better transport options, particularly for people living in east London, will benefit millions of people and support economic development for generations to come.
Upgrades to the transport network have delivered greater frequency and reliability. On the Tube extra capacity has been introduced on Jubilee and Central lines, with additional trains and signalling upgrades. There has been a 50% increase in DLR capacity with line extensions to Woolwich and Stratford International, and the introduction of three-car trains.
The London Overground has been transformed, with extended services on the East London and North London lines, and new signalling, trains and refurbished stations. The introduction of Emirates Air Line, the UK's first ever urban cable car, is providing a much-needed river crossing in east London.
Better road journeys
Ahead of the Games we invested in state-of-the-art traffic management systems which played a vital role in keeping London moving.
New technology systems, upgraded traffic signals and improved modelling are all leaving a legacy of better managed roads and smoother traffic flow, so you can get around London's roads more easily.
We also worked closely with other organisations such as the Department for Transport and transport operators from across the UK in preparing for the Games. This helped us to provide an integrated approach to incidents and communications during the Games and will assist in the management of major events in the future.
Better cycle journeys
Cycling in London has already more than doubled in recent years, and the Games has given it an even greater boost with the success of Britain's cyclists.
Ahead of the Games we added 2,300 Barclays Cycle Hire bikes by extending the scheme in east London and expanding it to Shepherds Bush in the west. £10m has been invested in enhancing 75km of walking and cycling routes across eight key routes to and around the Olympic Park. These routes were built with legacy in mind, connecting with existing networks and benefitting the local community for years to come. Additional cycle parking spaces have also been added in central London.
A major new cycling event, Ride London - which will include a cycle participation event and the chance to once again see elite cyclists competing on the Capital's roads - will promote London and encourage cycling from the summer of 2013.
We will continue to improve the cycling infrastructure by further expanding, constructing further Barclays Cycle Superhighways, conducting a junction review programme and continuing to provide support for cycle training.
Better accessibility
Ahead of the Games we made millions of journeys more accessible so you can easily get from street to platform or train. Since London won the Games in 2005 the number of step free stations in the Capital has grown to 136. An additional 21 Tube stations are now step free, as are 19 new or upgraded Overground stations and five new DLR stations. This includes key stations such as Green Park, King's Cross St. Pancras, Stratford and Greenwich.
Across the entire rail network including the Tube, DLR and Overground, many stations are benefiting from new or refurbished lifts, increased numbers of platform humps and level train access, tactile strips on platforms, improved electronic displays, audio loops and Help Points.
More than 250 wide aisle gates have been installed on Underground stations to provide easier access for wheelchair users, assistance dog owners, parents with buggies and passengers with luggage. London Overground and DLR trains are all fully accessible.
Our regular fleet of buses are wheelchair-accessible making it the most accessible bus fleet in the world. Each bus has a wheelchair ramp and allocated space for wheelchair users.
Significant improvements have been made to the quality of our accessibility information and journey planning tools making it easier for you to get the information you need. We have made these enhancements to online and printed information, and to electronic displays, signage and announcements.
Better customer service
Our Travel Ambassadors were one of the great success stories of the Games, so we will harness the success of these volunteers and are looking at how we can use them to help you get around in the future, particularly at major events.
Better freight and logistics management
Ahead of the Games we worked closely with the freight and logistics industry to plan the delivery of goods and services over the summer. As a result, many logistics firms, breweries and supermarkets, to name just a few examples, planned and made deliveries overnight, quietly and without disturbing residents. This reduced the impact on the road network during the day and helped reduce congestion. We are building on this post-Games to free up road space and keep traffic flowing.
Another legacy for the industry after the Games is the highly-praised Freight Journey Planner which makes it easier for operators to plan the most efficient routes that comply with road and loading restrictions.
Better travel advice and communications
One of the key reasons why the transport network operated smoothly during the Games was that you followed the advice of London 2012, transport partners and TfL to change the way you travelled, avoiding busy times and stations.
The majority of regular travellers did not stay out of London, they simply changed the time or way they travelled, such as walking or cycling all or part of their journeys, or taking a different route. We have learnt from the Get Ahead of the Games campaign how communication and modest changes in behaviour can help make the most of the available capacity on the transport network.
Much greater and more effective use was made of digital and social media channels, particularly Twitter, for the provision of real-time travel information and advice during the Games. This is something we will build on in the future.
