November 16th 2024.
London's famous 'Dangleway', officially known as the IFS Cloud Cable Car, has been a staple in the city's transportation system since its opening in June 2012. However, recent data has shown that the gondola service has been struggling to attract commuters during the early morning hours. Despite its massive construction cost of £60,000,000, the cable car only carries an average of four passengers per hour during the morning commute.
From August 2023 to August 2024, the demand for the Dangleway peaked at only four journeys in each direction between 7am and 8am. This is a significant decrease from the once impressive average of 20 commuters during the same time period in previous years. As a result, Transport For London (TfL) has proposed to reduce the Dangleway's morning opening times by up to 2 hours, starting from December 1.
Currently, the cable car begins operating at 7am from Monday to Friday, but during the first hour of service, there is only an average of one occupied journey every fifteen minutes. This means that it is only operating at 0.8% of its capacity, despite having the capability to move up to 5,000 people per hour. In order to cut costs and increase efficiency, TfL has suggested shifting the opening time to 8am on weekdays and 9am on Saturdays.
However, this decision has been met with mixed reactions as the Dangleway still attracts tens of thousands of people every week after 8am. TfL data from the same period shows that the cable car has a weekly passenger range of 11,410 to 49,014. This has led to concerns about the availability and reliability of the service, especially for those who rely on it for their daily commute.
In response to these concerns, TfL has assured that the changes to the timetable will be implemented alongside the planned autumn/winter timetable changes from December 1. They believe that this will not only improve the efficiency and sustainability of the service, but also ensure the safety of its passengers. In the meantime, a new shuttle bus service will be available for those who need to travel between the Greenwich Peninsula and the Royal Docks before 8am.
Despite its current struggles, the London cable car remains a popular mode of transportation, with over 14 million trips made since its opening. However, in order to maintain its success and better serve the needs of its commuters, TfL has recognized the need to adapt and make necessary changes. As they continue to work towards providing better value for money and ensuring customer satisfaction, we can expect to see a more efficient and reliable Dangleway in the future. For the latest news and updates on London's transportation, be sure to check out The Agency's London news hub.
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