|
Travel Desk
Travellers will have free access to Wi-Fi at 80 of London’s 270 tube stations during the Olympic Games, after Transport for London (TfL) asked Virgin Media to provide the service around zone 1 and 2. Virgin Media is planning to expand the coverage to 120 stations within this year. Wi-Fi will be free for Virgin Media broadband and mobile users whereas the others will have to pay after the Paralympic Games in September.
Passengers that use the underground network in zone 1 and 2 will enjoy free access to Internet after Virgin Media’s initiative. Wi-Fi will just be available on escalators and at ticket offices and platforms. The initiative aims to allow travellers to change their routes and have a look at travel information at real-time in case of disruptions. London’s Mayor, Boris Johnson, has praised the scheme, "this is a fabulous new and free resource which will be in place from this summer when London is being showcased on a global stage and playing host to millions”, he stated."
The initiative is supposed to be extended to other parts of the capital during the event. A deal with O2, the mobile phone firm, has been already agreed in Westminster to provide free services, according to The Financial Times.
Even with this initiative, disruptions are expected during the Olympics at the busiest stations on the peak days. David Higgins, chief executive of Network Rail and former head of the Olympic Delivery Authority, warned last month that transport failures during the Olympics would be "unavoidable".
TfL is encouraging people to work from home if it is possible, or to stay out later or to take more roundabout routes to get to venues. Otherwise, stations such as Canary Wharf, Bond Street or London Bridge will be hit by severe problems.
Reporting by Paula Planelles Manzanaro
|
