13-05-2011
Direct coach parking to be fairly priced as part of London 2012 commitment to creating first ‘public transport Games’
ODA Director of Transport Hugh Sumner said:“We have listened to the industry over the past two years to create what will be a significant and important role in getting spectators to and from venues.“The cost of coach parking has been kept to a minimum so that bus and coach providers are encouraged to use the facilities and help meet our target of making London 2012 the ‘public transport Games’.Spectator coach services will consist of two groups - London 2012 Games services designed for individual travellers, and private charter and ‘ad hoc’ operations more typically for pre-arranged groups. The coach services will account for around 10 per cent of all spectators during the Olympic Games. The ODA is providing 400 coaches to help transport tens of thousands of spectators to and from venues across the country.Costs for coach parking at venues outside of London will be £50 per visit. These include Lea Valley White Water centre (Broxbourne) for Canoe Slalom; Hadleigh farm for Mountain Biking; Eton Dorney for Rowing, Weymouth and Portland for Sailing events, and Ebbsfleet International for rail transfers to the Olympic Park.For venues on the Olympic Park, it will cost £60 per visit to drop-off or pick-up in either the Northern or Southern Transport Malls that will serve the 500-acre site during the Games, with overlay parking included at the ODA’s Bus and Coach Control Centre in Barking, east London. The depot will allow drivers to rest until time to collect their passengers. There will also be driver welfare facilities available there, including a canteen, onsite light maintenance, and cleaning services for vehicles. Parking (without the transport mall drop-off or pick-up permit) for other sports or cultural events will also be available at the depot at a rate of £50 per 24 hours.Facilities will also be available at certain other central London venues. Prices for these facilities will also be set at £50 per visit.Operators will only be able to pre-book spaces online, which will be available from the 10th June by visiting www.firstgroupgamestravel.com
Notes to Editor: - All of the ODA organised bus and coach services will be coordinated by the Bus and Coach Control Centre which will be located at the bus operations centre in Barking and will interface with the Transport Coordination Centre (TCC).
- In 2012, the ODA awarded a contract to First Group plc to manage and operate its bus and coach services either through its own resources or through carefully selected sub-contractor operators.
- For many disabled spectators, a direct coach route will be the easiest journey to a Games venue. The ODA is working closely with First Group to create both an accessible booking service and operation. There will also be a training programme for staff involved in the project.
- Costs of coach parking will attract VAT at the appropriate rate.