'Thousands' flock to London's first cable car
3rd July 2012
London's Emirates Air Line, also known as the Thames Cable Car, opened last week and is off to a flying start with thousands visiting already
A spokesperson for Transport for London (TfL) told Wanderlust yesterday about the 'thousands' of visitors the Air Line has seen already.
They explained why: “As well as a useful transport link”, the cable cars also serve as an attraction for people “further afield” to see the “stunning views” across the city of London. They also emphasised the different perspective on the Thames Barrier, “which you never usually see”.
By creating a direct link between the Greenwich peninsula (home to the O2 Arena) and the Royal Docks, the Air Line establishes an alternative way to cross the River Thames and to see the sights of London. A ride on the cable car offers 360 degree views of the City, Canary Wharf, the Thames Barrier and the Olympic Park. With its glimpse of the Olympic stadium, and connecting of two Olympic venues, it has been dubbed by some as 'the Olympic crossing'.
It also boasts the chance to observe London's skyline without the immense queues of the London Eye. However a spokesperson for TfL said: “We're not trying to directly compete with the London Eye – our primary aim was to provide a new river crossing.”
The cars can carry up to 2,500 people per hour and reaches a height of 300 feet. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, called it a “must-see destination in its own right,” which reflects the numbers of travellers already visiting the new transport link.
A ride on the cable car costs £3.20 for a single fare with an Oyster Card, or is otherwise £4.30. The service will run from 07.00 until 21.00 during the week. On Saturdays the gates will open one hour later and on Sundays the service will run from 09.00. There is room for up to two bicycles in each cabin, with no extra charge.
The two terminals were especially constructed and are at Emirates Greenwich Peninsula (by the O2, nearest tube North Greenwich or boat from North Greenwich Pier) and Emirates Royal Docks (beside the ExCeL conference centre, take the Docklands Light Railway to Royal Victoria). Reports suggest that it is most scenic taken from the Royal Docks end.
As well as creating a new way to take in the capital's city-scape, the cable car will help to cut commuter times just in time for what is to be one of the busiest summers London has ever seen.
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