Get Ahead of the Games

With less than six months to go to the London 2012 Olympic Games, a new advertising campaign, website and social media channels have been launched to communicate directly with the travelling public. ‘Get Ahead of the Games’ explains how, at certain times and locations – the ‘hotspots’ in London and some the UK’s road and rail networks will be much busier than usual. But by visiting www.getaheadofthegames.com or following the @GAOTG Twitter channel, you can receive the latest tips, travel information and advice on how to plan ahead and avoid the travel hotspots.

• Get Ahead of the Games
• @GAOTG Twitter channel

Key facts

• on an average London workday 24 million trips take place on the public transport and highways network
• on the busiest Games’ day an extra three million trips could take place
• up to 800,000 spectators are expected to attend the Games each day
• up to 55,000 athletes, officials and members of accredited media are expected to come to London

Reducing travel demand

Around £6.5 bn has been invested in upgrading and extending existing transport links across London and the UK. This is already delivering an early legacy from which London and the UK will continue to benefit for generations to come.

We are confident we will get all athletes, officials and spectators to their Games events on time and keep London and the UK moving.

However, the transport system will still have to accommodate a huge influx of spectators during Games time. So travel demand will need to be reduced significantly across the capital.

To meet this demand people will need to change the way they travel – whether that means walking or cycling to the office or simply working in different ways such as from home.

Travel planning

Above all spectators and businesses will need to start planning their travel arrangements now.

Employers and commuters are being urged to organise their London 2012 plans well in advance.

Reducing travel footprints

As a London employer, the Department will be leading the way in reducing its travel footprint and has committed to reducing its travel by 50 per cent at Games time.

To do this the department’s staff will manage their commuting, business travel, deliveries and collections. Increasing home working will be a key feature to achieving our goal.

Commuters and spectators

Although most of the venues for the 2012 Games are within the capital, others are located throughout the UK, from Glasgow to Weymouth.

So, whether you’re a commuter or spectator, it’s vital to start planning your travel as early as possible.

• Getting to the Games helps spectators plan and book your journey to the Games
• Spectator journey planner helps Games ticket holders plan their journeys by public transport, cycling and walking from anywhere in Great Britain to, and between Games venues, as well as by car to Games park and ride sites
• TfL’s 2012 Games will provide more travel planning resources as the Games draw nearer

Businesses

Our partners are producing tools that businesses will need to successfully plan their travel around the Games.

Transport for London (TfL) has published guidance to ensure businesses ‘keep on running’ during the Games

• Travel advice for business
• if a business is in an affected area and has over 200 staff located at one site, it may be eligible for free assistance from a dedicated 2012 travel advisor – for further information, email your contact details, organisation’s address and number of staff employed at the organisation to keeponrunning@london2012.com

Many companies are already discovering the benefits of putting ‘alternatives to travel’ – such as audio or video conferencing, remote working or staggering working hours – into practice. For example

• reduced travel and office costs
• fewer rail and air journeys taken by staff (with associated environmental benefits)
• improved staff attendance and retention
• increased productivity

For general advice on working smartly and sustainably, visit the National Business Travel Network.