London Weighs Transportation Concerns as Olympics Loom

Transportation is increasingly seen as a major concern as London prepares to host the 2012 Summer Olympics. As crowds fill the city, many wonder whether it will be able to handle the load and keep everyone moving.

1 minute read

May 19, 2011, 8:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg


Olympics officials have been weighing these concerns and are preparing ot release their final transportation plan, but many argue that the biggest challenge will be convincing locals to change their transportation habits during the event.

"Is London properly prepared for the demands on the system of an anticipated 5.3 million visitors? Forecasting these things is difficult. The capital's Underground system is a slowly-improving historical miracle but one that is susceptible to disruptions from many sources, a matter that will be discussed by the transport committee today with among others representatives of London's larger businesses and the RMT's Bob Crow. London's road congestion is already insane. The final edition of the Olympic Transport Plan, due very soon, will need to demonstrate that it has thought of everything that could go wrong.

Perhaps the most important thing will be persuading Londoners to make adjustments to their usual routines."

Tuesday, May 17, 2011 in The Guardian

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