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Public transit encouraged for 2012 Olympic spectators

(AP)
Updated: 2006-10-31 15:42

All spectators should use public transit, walk or cycle to reach venues during the 2012 London Olympics, according to a draft transport plan issued Monday.

"To have our transport plan ready six years before the games is unprecedented," organizing committee chairman Sebastian Coe said. "I want to see athletes competing, not commuting, and spectators watching not waiting."

The Olympic Delivery Authority, which is responsible for preparing the venues for the games, said the goal is to get "100 percent of spectators to travel to the games by public transport, walking and cycling."

Organizers will heavily rely on a seven-minute train linking Stratford, where the Olympic Park will be based in the East End, with Kings Cross station in central London. Other features include special Olympic lanes on roads and new cycle lanes and walking routes.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone said 17 billion pounds (US$32.3 billion; euro25.4 billion) would be spent on upgrading London's public transport system over the next five years.

The document was released for consultation to the public, local businesses and industry stakeholders. The first transport plan will be published in mid-2007, with later editions set for 2009 and 2011.