Ben WillsChief Press Officer

Transport for the Games- Overview

• In total, around £6.5bn has been invested to improve transport.

• We are well-prepared: most transport infrastructure is already complete, in operation and delivering on early legacy well ahead of the Games.

What have we invested in?

• Rebuilding Stratford Regional Station

• Major improvements to London Underground

• Improvements to rail lines in east London

• Establishing seven minute ‘Javelin’ service between St Pancras and Stratford, running 8-10 times an hour.

• This investment is already providing people with better transport, benefiting millions of people and supporting economic development for generations to come.

But it will be busy…

• On the busiest days of the Games, an estimated three million extra journeys will be made in and around London.

• At certain times and in certain ‘hotspot’ locations, transport networks will be much busier than usual.

• We are making information about these hotspots available and asking people to consider changing their travel behaviour during Games time if they can. Small changes will make a big difference.

Not just London

• Events will be taking place across the country

• Sailing in Weymouth• Rowing at Eton Dorney• Football at grounds around the country eg.

Newcastle, Coventry, Cardiff

• So national transport links will have a big role to play

DfT does not directly operate transport

• London Transport (eg. tube, buses): Transport for London

• Railways: Network Rail / Train Operators• Airports: BAA and other operators.• Motorways and other major roads: Highways

Agency

Who does what…

Why might you want to speak to DfT?

• Investment in transport – ie. why we have the infrastructure we have not more, or less

• Rail fares - levels, structures

• Airport Security - regulations, procedures

• Road Safety - the law, safety campaigns

• And even if you don’t want to talk about those things, we can help you find the right people to speak to…

• In Games-time you’ll be able to contact us through the Government Olympic Communications (GOC) press office.

• Or call the DfT Press Office on 020 7944 2300

Getting in touch

Network RailMedia facilitation

Press office - 020 3356 8700 http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/

How does the railway in Britain work?

• The Government doesn't run the train service

• Network Rail was created 10 years ago

– Responsible for maintaining, operating and improving the rail infrastructure (track, signals, electric wires)

– Any profit made goes back into the railway

• Companies compete to run train services on different lines

– Example 1: Southeastern trains from South-East England to London Bridge station

– Example 2: Virgin trains from Manchester, Glasgow and Coventry to London Euston

Some key railway stats

• Almost double the number of passengers arrive on time than 10 yrs ago (1.3bn v 770m)

• Key lines serving the Olympic Park performing well (96% of trains arrived on time on London Overground in Jan-Feb 2012)

–Special Olympic timetable with 4,000 extra trains over period

–Plans to help big stations cope with large numbers of people

• Network Rail manages 17 biggest stations (1bn journeys p.a) & 20,000 miles of railway track

• 21,500 passenger trains & 2,500 freight trains per day

What Network Rail does not do

• Operate the trains

• Sell or set prices of tickets

• Managing thousands of other stations

• Provide passenger information (including special Olympic information)

Making it easier to get about

• Travelling by train is often the best way to get around the country

• www.Getaheadofthegames.com is the best place to find travel information

London to.. By car* By train**

Newcastle 5hrs

15mins

2hrs 49mins (from

London King’s

Cross)

Manchester 4hr 1min 2hrs 7mins (from

London Euston)

Weymouth 3hr 4 mins 2hrs 38 mins (from

London Waterloo)

Eton Dorney 59mins 16mins (access via

Slough Station from

London Paddington)

*Source: AA route planner ** National Rail Enquiries journey planner

Coordination – how we can help you

• Network Rail leads for the whole rail industry in the Transport Coordination Centre (TCC)

• With lots of different train operators it can be hard to know who to go to for the right information

• Our press office will have access to live information & be working with the Government press office

• If you have questions about train services we will be able to help you (or send you to the right transport operator)

Our Press Office number is 020 3356 8700

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/

Games time press office

• Working closely with other transport operators

• Press Office - 020 3356 8700

• Special Games time arrangements:

–6am until midnight (24/7 with on call arrangements)

–Twitter: special Games time updates on services and stations for media

–Opportunities to film at our stations

HeathrowMedia Facilitation

June 2012

Media Registration and Management

• To work at the Airport between 27 June – 12 September all media will need:

• To register with Heathrow at: www.heathrowairport.com/media2012

• To come along to one of the Media Rooms (in terminal arrivals halls) before they start working to collect their pass with lanyard.

• A team of Media Assistants will work in terminals for arrivals and departures to support media.

Media Zones• The Media Zones will be:

• Giving media the best shots of arriving athletes.

• Locations chosen as suitable for media to get pictures and so activity does not disrupt operations.

• Able to fit at least 30 media. At peak times we will increase the area where necessary.

• No Zones in departures – managed individually. Limited space in the Games Terminal.

Heathrow Media Rooms

• Media will have their own dedicated space in the arrivals hall of each terminal to:

• Pick up their Heathrow pass;

• File stories with free efficient Wi-Fi;

• Receive information and daily briefing sheets.

Contacts

• To Register to work at Heathrow during Games time: www.heathrowairport.com/media2012

• BAA/Heathrow Press Office – 0208 745 7224

• Email Head of London 2012 Media: Joanna_Jacobson@baa.com

• DfT Press Office on 020 7944 2300 www.dft.gov.uk

• BAA/Heathrow Press Office – 0208 745 7224 www.heathrowairport.com/media2012

• Network Rail Press Office - 020 3356 8700 www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/

• Highways Agency Press Office: 020 7081 7443 www.highways.gov.uk

Contact Details