Can The London Olympic Transport Service Be Resurrected?
News that the consortium behind the London Olympics Oyster travel card has seen its contract cut short - now ending in 2010 - has caused surprise in the industry with very little time left to put an alternative cashless travel card in place. With the Olympics now less that 4 years away there are grave concerns that the travel network may not be able to cope with the massive influx of visitors.
There is some confusion as to why the consortiums contract has been cut short but recent press comment about the security of the Oyster card may be behind the issue. It will be interesting to see what route the authorities take now with the Games approaching and Boris Johnson likely to be held to his promise of a cashless Olympic Games.
The early success of the Beijing Olympics has put the London games under more pressure to deliver something to remember and the issue of transport is a major worry. However, behind the scenes the company behind the Oyster card is convinced that the well known travel card will be the central element of the travel arrangements for the Olympics, but quite how remains to be seen.
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