Transport - the Achilles heel of the London Olympics

Tokyo should be watching this VERY closely, because if it's a nightmare in London for these Olympics, despite the time they've had and money spent to counter it, it'll be a potential disaster in already cramped and over-crowded Tokyo.

Olympic foreign tourists wouldn't want to be grabbed by conductors packing sardines into subway cans.

London transport is appalling even when no Olympics, so agree entirely with this. Tokyo would cope better as they at least know how to run a railroad. This is my favourite paragraph though

John Thomas, chairman of the Licensed Taxi Drivers Association, questioned why the VIPs had not been given hotels closer to the Olympic sites to avoid the need for such measures.

The issue is not just capacity, however--negotiations are currently under way with transport workers unions who are demanding extra pay during the Games, to prevent the nightmare scenario of a strike.

Becoming a tube driver seems like a pretty lucrative scam. Average 50K pounds a year, 8 weeks holiday and a bribe just for continuing to do your job during the Olympics!

In the end I just gave up on my commute from Clapham to Elephant & Castle. The Northern line trains were literally "tubes". Tall men crouched in them. Somedays the station was closed for periods because trains were delayed - almost daily - and platforms were overflowing. Sometimes on the tube it just stops and the lights go out. No annoucment or anything. This can last up to an hour. Just like the Blitz, Londeners put up with it. And my God, so hot in the summer. Trains are dirty with bottles rolling around the place and fast food wrappers flapping about. Outside Clapham station were signs warning you not to use your cell phone in this vicinity. Reason being were kids on bikes would ride by and snatch it off you. And trust me, Clapham is not quite Chelsea or Fulham but still quite a nice place.

So I gave up on the tube and got the bus. Slow, but does make progress in the traffic and does not break down. Some tube lines are a lot better - Victoria is not bad and those that go above ground as well as under are less prone to breakdown. But avoid where you can the original lines built over 100 years ago.

Tokyo handled the WC just fine in 2002. If you put Tokyo subway as a 10 on the scale, London underground rates around about a 3 on a working day or a 4 on a Sunday morning. Miss many things from London but NOT the Northern Line.

London didn't put the time nor the effort in upgrading it over the years. Nightmare trying to get around. Though, at least people are kind and offer seats to the elderly and whatnot. I just wish more people wore deodorant!

Tokyo would be a nightmare. Rush hour traffic is hellish. Add in a bunch of tourist who don't have a clue as to where to go... no thank you.

I think the Tokyo subway will handle it fine! It is hellish at peak hour but i am sure they will schedule events around those times to avoid congestion. tmarie, I hear you loud and clear! add toothpaste to the list please!

Come on its not that bad!!!

Achilles heel? I thought it was maybe a leg judging by complaints even in the uk about the food on offer to visitors, immigration, cleanness and oh the transport.

please spend your money though visitors

Come on its not that bad!!!

It really is....

In London this March and there were signs of improvement.

A network of priority blue cycle lanes has been painted on the left along main roads throughout the capital.

Announcements inside the tube are clearer and more detailed, and the staff do seem to be genuinely trying to keep the trains to a schedule. (Unlike before)