London Cable Car Operating Hours May Be Reduced Due to Low Usage

Transport for London (TfL) has put forward a proposal to shorten the opening hours of London’s cable car. This initiative stems from data indicating an average of merely four contactless and Oyster journeys in each direction during the first hour of operation daily over the past year. The IFS-sponsored gondola currently begins service at 07:00 GMT from Monday to Friday, at 08:00 on Saturdays, and at 09:00 on Sundays. Under the proposed adjustments, services would commence an hour later between Monday and Saturday. However, operations would continue until 22:00 every day of the week. In a consultation document, TfL stated, “Operating a near empty service is neither environmentally nor financially sustainable.” When paper tickets are included, the total number of users during the initial hour of service increases to 20 in each direction. Launched in anticipation of the 2012 Olympics, the cable car has encountered difficulties in attracting consistent commuters, with passenger figures showing a decline over the last decade. Last year, in response to a Freedom of Information request, TfL confirmed that it covered its operating costs and reported a direct operating surplus (before capital renewals) of £2.6m. Currently, single fares for the service connecting North Greenwich in south-east London and Royal Docks in east London are £6 for adults and £3 for children aged between five and 15. TfL further added, “These changes are part of our work to deliver better value for money and ensure customer safety by both matching services to current demand and enabling an additional maintenance window which will further improve the reliability of the service.”