This presentation is by Ben Willis from the Department of Transport. It was given to international journalists at a briefing on 13 June 2012.

1. Ben Wills
Chief Press Officer

2. Transport for the Games- Overview
• In total, around £6.5bn has been invested
to improve transport.
• We are well-prepared: most transport
infrastructure is already complete, in
operation and delivering on early legacy
well ahead of the Games.

3. What have we invested in?
• Rebuilding Stratford Regional Station
• Major improvements to London Underground
• Improvements to rail lines in east London
• Establishing seven minute ‘Javelin’ service between St
Pancras and Stratford, running 8-10 times an hour.
• This investment is already providing people with better
transport, benefiting millions of people and supporting
economic development for generations to come.

4. But it will be busy…
• On the busiest days of the Games, an estimated three
million extra journeys will be made in and around
London.
• At certain times and in certain ‘hotspot’ locations,
transport networks will be much busier than usual.
• We are making information about these hotspots
available and asking people to consider changing their
travel behaviour during Games time if they can. Small
changes will make a big difference.

5. Not just London
• Events will be taking place across the country
• Sailing in Weymouth
• Rowing at Eton Dorney
• Football at grounds around the country eg.
Newcastle, Coventry, Cardiff
• So national transport links will have a big role to play

6. Who does what…
DfT does not directly operate transport
• London Transport (eg. tube, buses): Transport
for London
• Railways: Network Rail / Train Operators
• Airports: BAA and other operators.
• Motorways and other major roads: Highways
Agency

7. Why might you want to speak to DfT?
• Investment in transport – ie. why we have the
infrastructure we have not more, or less
• Rail fares - levels, structures
• Airport Security - regulations, procedures
• Road Safety - the law, safety campaigns
• And even if you don’t want to talk about those
things, we can help you find the right people to
speak to…

8. Getting in touch
• In Games-time you’ll be able to contact us
through the Government Olympic
Communications (GOC) press office.
• Or call the DfT Press Office on 020 7944 2300

9. Network Rail
Media facilitation
Press office - 020 3356 8700
http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/

10. How does the railway in Britain work?
• The Government doesn't run the train service
• Network Rail was created 10 years ago
– Responsible for maintaining, operating and improving the rail infrastructure (track,
signals, electric wires)
– Any profit made goes back into the railway
• Companies compete to run train services on different lines
– Example 1: Southeastern trains from South-East England to London Bridge station
– Example 2: Virgin trains from Manchester, Glasgow and Coventry to London Euston

11. Some key railway stats
• Almost double the number of passengers arrive on time than 10
yrs ago (1.3bn v 770m)
• Key lines serving the Olympic Park performing well (96% of
trains arrived on time on London Overground in Jan-Feb 2012)
– Special Olympic timetable with 4,000 extra trains over period
– Plans to help big stations cope with large numbers of people
• Network Rail manages 17 biggest stations (1bn journeys p.a) &
20,000 miles of railway track
• 21,500 passenger trains & 2,500 freight trains per day

12. What Network Rail does not do
• Operate the trains
• Sell or set prices of tickets
• Managing thousands of
other stations
• Provide passenger
information (including special
Olympic information)

13. Making it easier to get about
London to.. By car* By train**
Newcastle 5hrs 2hrs 49mins (from
15mins London King’s
Cross)
Manchester 4hr 1min 2hrs 7mins (from
London Euston)
Weymouth 3hr 4 mins 2hrs 38 mins (from
London Waterloo)
Eton Dorney 59mins 16mins (access via
Slough Station from
London Paddington)
• Travelling by train is often the best way
*Source: AA route planner to get around the country
** National Rail Enquiries journey planner
• www.Getaheadofthegames.com is the
best place to find travel information

14. Coordination – how we can help you
• Network Rail leads for the whole rail industry in the Transport
Coordination Centre (TCC)
• With lots of different train operators it can be hard to know who
to go to for the right information
• Our press office will have access to live information & be working
with the Government press office
• If you have questions about train services we will be able to help
you (or send you to the right transport operator)
Our Press Office number is 020 3356 8700

15. Games time press office
• Working closely with other transport operators
• Press Office - 020 3356 8700
• Special Games time arrangements:
– 6am until midnight (24/7 with on call arrangements)
– Twitter: special Games time updates on services and stations
for media
– Opportunities to film at our stations

16. Heathrow
Media Facilitation
June 2012

17. Media Registration and Management
• To work at the Airport • A team of Media Assistants will work in
between 27 June – 12 terminals for arrivals and departures to
support media.
September all media will
need:
• To register with Heathrow at:
www.heathrowairport.com/media20
12
• To come along to one of the Media
Rooms (in terminal arrivals halls)
before they start working to collect
their pass with lanyard.

18. Media Zones
• The Media Zones will be:
• Giving media the best shots of arriving
athletes.
• Locations chosen as suitable for media to
get pictures and so activity does not disrupt
operations.
• Able to fit at least 30 media. At peak times
we will increase the area where necessary.
• No Zones in departures – managed
individually. Limited space in the Games
Terminal.

19. Heathrow Media Rooms
• Media will have their own dedicated space in the arrivals hall of
each terminal to:
• Pick up their Heathrow pass;
• File stories with free efficient Wi-Fi;
• Receive information and daily briefing sheets.

20. Contacts
• To Register to work at Heathrow during Games time:
www.heathrowairport.com/media2012
• BAA/Heathrow Press Office – 0208 745 7224
• Email Head of London 2012 Media:
Joanna_Jacobson@baa.com

22. Contact Details
• DfT Press Office on 020 7944 2300
www.dft.gov.uk
• BAA/Heathrow Press Office – 0208 745 7224
www.heathrowairport.com/media2012
• Network Rail Press Office - 020 3356 8700
www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/
• Highways Agency Press Office: 020 7081 7443
www.highways.gov.uk