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Call Sign July 2011
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) estab-
The Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) give an update...
lished a taxi (and private hire) transport strat-
TAXIS AND THE OLYMPICS
egy group in 2009 with stakeholders from
both industries. This group facilitates commu-
nication between operators, trade associations
the Paralympic Route Network (PRN). The
and other stakeholders such as TfL, DfT, local
ORN/PRN network of roads will be used dur-
authorities and the ODA.
ing the Games to provide athletes, technical
Work has been undertaken to estimate the
officials, media and marketing partners with
likely demand for taxi travel to and from indi-
safe, reliable transport between venues and
vidual Games venues and at transport hubs
accommodation that is critical to the Games
such as rail interchanges. The ODA is working
success. They will ensure athletes spend their
closely with its delivery partners and stake-
time competing rather than commuting, but
holders to identify and plan for the role of taxis
the vast majority of roads that make up the
during the Games. While TfL leads on taxi facil-
ORN/PRN will be available for use by all other
ities at rail interchanges in London, the ODA is
traffic during the Games.
liaising with TfL to ensure that the requirements
The ODA is already working with TfL and
for the Games are taken into account.
alongside key taxi stakeholders, host bor-
It is envisaged that taxis (including pre-
The London 2012 Olympic Games will offi-
oughs and other representatives to assess the
booked ones) will be able to pick-up/drop-off
cially open with the Opening Ceremony in the
impact of the planned temporary changes. In
at specific zones at all of the Games venues.
Olympic Stadium at Stratford on Friday 27th
conjunction with TfL, the ODA is working
There will also be facilities at most transport
July 2012. The Olympics will then be held over
alongside utility providers and local authori-
interchanges.
16 days, ending with a closing ceremony on
ties to minimise disruption caused by road and
The ODA will ensure that adequate infor-
Sunday 12th August. There will then be a two
street works during the Games, including the
mation is provided to taxi drivers and opera-
week transition period before the Paralympic
scheduling of planned work ahead of the
tors about the Games. This information covers
Games start on Wednesday 29th August. With
Games and the development of traffic-sensi-
specifics such as venues, event scheduling,
11 competition days, the Paralympic Games
tive procedures for emergency works.
expected demand, location of designated taxi
will end on 9th September. The competition
Venues
ranks and other pick-up/drop-off points as
schedule for the Olympic Games can be found
well as giving information about the likely
Local Area Traffic Management and Parking
on the London 2012 website:
impacts of the Olympic Route Network, road
plans, which include special parking and access
http://www.london2012.com/games/ol
events like the Marathon and `Live' sites with
controls, will be implemented around each
ympic-sport-competition-schedule/
public screens etc.
venue for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
As part of the consultation process, the
Security and safety will be essential during
These Games-time access and parking controls
ODA issued a draft of the second edition of
will be similar in nature to event day parking
the Games and to make sure that only autho-
the Transport Plan for the London 2012
schemes that are regularly implemented at
rised licensed taxi drivers are transporting
Olympic and Paralympic Games. This pro-
Premier League football grounds on match days.
spectators. The ODA is working with security,
vides more background information about the
the police forces and licensing enforcement
Games, as well as more detail on transport
Road Events
officers for each of the venues on this matter.
arrangements. It can be found via the follow-
In addition, the ODA will make available to all
The Olympic and Paralympic Games will fea-
ing link:
spectators information on the safe use of taxis
ture road-based events including the
http://www.london2012.com/making-
Marathon, Road Cycle race, Road Cycle time
(and private hire).
it-happen/transport/transport-plan.
trial, Road Walk and parts of the Triathlon. In
In May 2011 the third edition will be issued.
Introduction to the Games
addition, there will be non-competition road
The strategy for the Games is to transport all
events, notably the Torch Relay, which will
The London 2012 Olympic Games and
ticketed spectators to the competition venues
also use roads outside of the Capital. It will be
Paralympic Games will attract millions of visi-
by public transport, walking or cycling. There
necessary to close some parts of the public
tors to London and other locations, with over
will be no private car parking for spectators at
highway for the build up to, and the duration
10 million tickets being sold. This will result in
any venue except for some Blue Badge (dis-
of, road events and this will affect travel along
the largest peacetime logistics operation ever
abled motorists) parking.
these routes. Further info on road events is
seen in the UK. For the duration of the Games,
available on the London 2012 website at
road and rail networks in London and else-
What effect will the Games
www.london2012.com.
where will be under far more pressure than
have?
normal. The huge number of athletes, officials
Businesses and public travel may be affected
`Live' Sites
and visitors attending the Games, along with
by the Games in a number of ways, such as
A number of official `Live' Sites will be in
the temporary Olympic Route Network, road
staff finding commuting more difficult due to
operation during the Games to allow the pub-
events and the operation of `Live' sites will
large numbers of spectators using transport net-
lic to view events on large temporary screens.
add to the existing challenges of transporting
works. However, this article will focus on the
The proposed London `Live' sites for the
passengers by taxi in already very busy urban
challenges and opportunities for taxi vehicles.
Olympics are Hyde Park, Victoria Park and
areas. While the Games may seem a long way
Taxis will have a part to play during the
Potters Field besides City Hall. For the
off, the sheer scale of the event means that
Games where individuals require a level of
Paralympic Games the `Live' sites will be at
early and detailed planning will be essential in
flexibility to supplement public transport
Potters Field and Trafalgar Square. All these
order to operate effectively in the run-up, dur-
modes. In particular, taxis provide accessible
sites are expected to attract large numbers of
ing and immediately following the Games.
travel alternative for those with special needs
people and likely to have an impact on traffic
Individual taxi operators and drivers need to
and impairments. In addition, there will be a
flow in adjacent streets.
start thinking about the opportunities that will
requirement for taxis to make various types of
result from the Games and how their existing
trips, including airport transfers, journeys
Moving towards London 2012
activities may be affected, what the impact will
between public transport and accommodation,
be and how to manage it. This article is
During the lead-up to the Games, ODA and
plus venues, cultural events and sightseeing
designed to start the process by providing
LOCOG will be communicating information to
tours during the Games.
some background to the Games, its potential
taxi drivers through articles and web-based
opportunities and impacts for taxis. It is not
links. This is to enable you to start planning on
The Olympic/Paralympic
how you will maintain your normal service to
designed to provide all the answers, but to
Route Network
existing clients, while at the same time taking
heighten awareness and encourage stakehold-
advantage of the opportunities during the
ers to take some initial steps that will stand
The most significant impact on taxis may
Games.
them in good stead for the journey ahead.
come from the Olympic Route Network and
