Europe

28 Nov '23

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The London cable car, also known as the IFS Cloud Cable Car, is a cable car that links across the River Thames in London.

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Some keypoints of the London Cable Car

History and sponsorship

The cable car was built by Doppelmayr and opened in 2012, with a total cost of £60 million. It was initially sponsored by Emirates Air Line until 2022, when IFS became the new sponsor. The cable car has been criticised for its high cost to taxpayers and its low usage by commuters. This cost is not even so high compared to cable car systems in countries where they are more common. [Read More]

Technology and capacity

The cable car uses monocable detachable gondola (MDG) technology, which uses a single cable for both propulsion and support. There are 36 passenger gondolas, each with a capacity of 10 passengers. The cable car can carry 2,500 people per hour in each direction, and the duration of a single crossing is 10 minutes (reduced to five minutes in rush hour).

Fares and integration

The cable car is not fully integrated into Transport for London’s ticketing system, and the fares are higher than other modes of transport. The adult pay-as-you-go fare is £6, and there are discounts for Oyster card holders and multi-journey tickets. The cable car is also shown on the London Tube map with the sponsor’s logo.

Location and attractions

The cable car crosses the Thames from the Greenwich Peninsula to the Royal Victoria Dock, near the O2 Arena and the ExCeL exhibition centre. The cable car offers a unique view of London and is marketed as a tourist attraction. The cable car also has a temporary rebranding option for other commercial sponsors, such as Pokémon.[source]