London 2012: Record passengers on public transport during Games

Sarah Shaffi, Olympics editor (news) Monday, August 6, 2012
9:07 AM

Record numbers of people have been using the Tube, Docklands Light Railway (DLR) and Barclays Cycle Hire during the Olympics.

London mayor Boris Johnson announced that 4.40million passengers were carried on the Tube on Friday, breaking a record of 4.31m set on Thursday.

In the same week last year, daily Tube passenger numbers were around 3.7m to 3.8m.

Before Friday, the previous busiest day in the network’s history was December 9, 2011 when passenger numbers were boosted by Christmas shoppers.

The Docklands Light Railway (DLR) carried more than 500,000 passengers for the first time, also on Friday, up 70 per cent on normal daily levels.

Barclays Cycle Hire recorded 1m hires in July for the first time, with almost 47,000 hires on July 26 - the day before the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games - the most hires in one day since the scheme launched more than two years ago.

London Overground passenger numbers are up more than a quarter, at 27 per cent, week on week, and the Emirates Air Line, which opened on June 28, also saw new record passenger numbers on Saturday, at 24,451.

London’s Transport Commissioner, Peter Hendy, said: “Just like our Team GB athletes, records on the Tube are tumbling almost every day right now.

“We’re carrying these record numbers and keeping London moving and open for business because people are following our advice and planning their travel.

“What we’re seeing is some people avoiding the peak hours and travelling at less busy times. I would like to thank our passengers for taking our advice on board and helping the transport network to support a great London 2012 Games.

“I’ve also been tremendously impressed with the response from both businesses and the freight and distribution industry.

“Their planning has ensured that London’s restaurants, bars and businesses have had bread in their shops and beer in their pumps, and we thank them for the way they have responded to the Olympic-sized challenge.”