Thames cable car opens

THE new cable car service across the Thames in East London opens today (Thursday) carrying people in its pods.

The service links the O2 Arena in Greenwich with the ExCel exhibition centre at the Royal Docks, and is capable of carrying 2,500 people an hour across the river, Alan Tilbury tells us.

Non-stop round trip

The service will operate during the week from 7am until 9pm, with different times at week-ends, with a single fare £4.30 and the return fare £6.40, though with reductions for those using an Oyster Card.  Child fare will be half price. The return fare can include a non-stop round trip.

The views from the cars are spectacular, being able to see not only the city, but the  Thames Barrier and the Olympic Park.

The Dubai-based airline Emirates is sponsoring the cable cars for 10 years at a cost of £36m, with the total cost around £60m.