Cable car to open for passengers next week

The new Thames cable car spanning the River Thames will open to the public next week.

The Emirates Air Line will create a direct link between the 02 Arena the ExCeL exhibition centre in Custom House and Greenwich and carry 2,500 people an hour.

A single adult fare on the pay-as-you-go Oyster card will cost �3.20 while the cash fare will be �4.30, Transport for London (TfL) said.

The Mayor of London says he is fulfilling his pledge to build the UK’s first urban cable car when the Emirates Air Line opens to the public from midday on Thursday June 28.

The 1.1km long river crossing, between Greenwich and the Royal Docks, will have the capacity to carry up to 2,500 people per hour in each direction, the equivalent of 30 buses. Initially it will operate seven days a week, from 7am to 9pm Mondays to Fridays, 8am to 9pm on Saturdays and 9am to 9pm on Sundays.

Transport for London confirmed that passengers will be able to touch in at the gates with their Oyster pay as you go cards to take a flight on the Emirates Air Line; and that they have developed a ‘frequent flyer’ boarding pass for regular users, which will allow them to make 10 single journeys for �16, equating to just �1.60 per single journey. The frequent flyer boarding pass will appeal to people living or working in the local area who wish to use the Emirates Air Line on a regular basis and will be available to purchase from both Emirates Air Line terminals.

A single fare boarding pass using Oyster pay as you go for the Emirates Air Line will cost �3.20 (child fare �1.60). Passengers with a Travelcard or other Oyster cards (including Freedom Passes) will be able to fly for the same fare but will need to buy a boarding pass from ticket offices or vending machines which are available at both terminals, Emirates Greenwich Peninsula and Emirates Royal Docks. Passengers without an Oyster or Travelcard will need to pay a slightly higher cash fare.

For those who want the experience of an extended journey to enjoy the fantastic views of the City, which include Canary Wharf, the Thames Barrier and the Olympic Park, there will be the option to take a non-stop return journey. This ‘360 degree tour’ will cost �6.40 with Oyster.

Mayor Boris Johnson, said: “This spectacular new addition to London’s skyline will provide a much needed new river crossing in the east of our great city. It will open up access to jobs in the Royal Docks enterprise zone and attract businesses and investors to a previously under exploited area.

“The Emirates Air Line is part of my plan to develop a package of new river crossings in east London and transform the surrounding area into a vibrant new metropolitan quarter that will attract new jobs, homes and enterprise.”

The innovative Emirates Air Line is a key plank of the Mayor’s plans to revitalise east London and create jobs for Londoners and attract investment into the capital. Over 50 people have been employed by Mace Macro to operate the Emirates Air Line; nearly half of these employees come from the local area.

Peter Hendy CBE, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: “Passengers will very soon get to experience this unique and exciting new addition to London’s transport network. Londoners and visitors to the capital will be able to experience a direct and quick way of crossing the river whilst enjoying the fantastic views from the cabins. The Emirates Air Line is an amazing achievement for all of those involved, given the timescale they worked within from it being an initial idea to a completed mode of transport.”

Emirates are investing �36 million in a ten year sponsorship deal.