Special Rail Timetable Produced for London 2012

The London rail industry are producing a special timetable which will see trains in the capital running longer and more frequently in order to get more than eight million people to and from London 2012 Olympic Games venues next summer.

Network Rail were assisted by train companies with input from the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) in producing the Olympic and Paralympic timetable which will see over 2,000 extra services during the Olympic Games and over 1,500 extra services during the Paralympic Games.

There will also be an earlier start to services, more maximum-length trains, extended peak-hour periods offering more frequent trains and later evening trains leaving London to reach other major cities in Britain.

David Higgins, the chief executive of Network Rail and former chief executive of the ODA, said: “The Olympics is about sport, not transport.

“Our job during Games time is to provide smooth, seamless journeys for spectators travelling to and from Olympic and Paralympic venues whilst continuing to offer the service which keeps millions of people moving across Britain each day.”

Michael Roberts, chief executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said: “The rail industry is committed to offering fast, flexible, reliable and affordable travel for the millions of spectators expected at Olympic and Paralympic events.

“As well as being able to book their London 2012 Games train fares up to 12 months in advance – a UK first – spectators will also be able to take advantage of thousands of extra services, earlier starting and later trains to make sure they don’t miss a second of the action.”

One of the key features of London 2012 Games will see a high-speed rail service called the Javelin run from St Pancras International Station in central London to Stratford International in just seven minutes.

During the Olympics, the latest services to leave London will be to Exeter at 00.30, Liverpool Lime Street and Cardiff Central at 01.00, Birmingham New Street at 01.10, and to Oxford and Manchester Piccadilly at 01.30.

The Tube will run around an hour later than normal during the Games and extra Tube services will also run later in the evening on the Games’ busiest days.

This will see the last trains leaving the Olympic Park at around 01.30am and central London around 02.00am, with trains reaching their final destinations before 02.30am.

Rail Minister Theresa Villiers said: “For the Games to be a massive success we need effective transport links that can get the millions of sports fans where they need to go, when they want to travel.

“This work demonstrates how the transport industry at large is focused on bringing all travel modes to life for the Games.”

Ticketed spectators travelling to Games events in and around London will also be given a free Games Travelcard with their Games event ticket allowing free travel within zones 1–9 on the London public transport network throughout the day of their event.

Hugh Sumner, ODA director of transport, said: “Travelling to the Games will be very much a part of the spectator experience and we need to get it right.

“The UK’s transport network has responded to the requirement for enhanced services during London 2012.

“Longer, later and more frequent trains are being provided to ensure as best we can that spectators are able to get to their events on time and get back home afterwards even if they decide to stay for a bite to eat or a sports session overruns.”