The Thames cable car will open next week after engineers won a race to get it ready in time for the Olympics.
Mayor Boris Johnson said today that the Emirates Air Line, between Greenwich and the Royal Docks, will open at midday on June 28. There had been fears the ambitious £45 million project would not be finished before the Games opening ceremony on July 27.
A single trip using pay-as-you-go Oyster will cost £3.20 and a cash fare will be £4.30.
Passengers will also be able to make a non-stop round trip on the cable car, with views of the City, Canary Wharf and the Thames Barrier, for £6.40 using Oyster. And a “frequent flyer” pass will allow 10 single journeys for £16. London Assembly members said the high fares were “surprising”.
The Air Line links the O2 Arena in Greenwich with the ExCel exhibition centre at Royal Docks. There have been suggestions it will be used to ferry Olympic competitors across the Thames to the O2, which is hosting gymnastics and basketball.
Thirty-four cable cars, carrying 2,500 passengers an hour, will make the 1.1km river crossing. The gondolas, about 160 feet above the river, will run every 30 seconds and the journey will take five minutes.
Dubai-based airline Emirates is sponsoring the cable car for 10 years at a cost of £36 million. Mr Johnson said: “On June 28 this spectacular addition to London’s skyline will provide a much-needed new river crossing.
It is part of my plan to develop a package of river crossings in east London and transform the surrounding area into a vibrant metropolitan quarter that will attract jobs, homes and enterprise.”
London’s Transport Commissioner Peter Hendy said: “It is an amazing achievement for all involved, given the timescale from it being an initial idea to a completed mode of transport.”
Green Party Assembly member Jenny Jones said: “I’m thrilled it has opened — it looks huge fun. But I am surprised at the price of a ticket. I had hoped they would be much more reasonable.”
