§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions to what extent public transport services will be reduced in London as a result of arrangements for public transport to the Millennium Dome. [101158]
§ Mr. HillThere will be no reduction in public transport. On the contrary, the extended Jubilee Line, new river services and new bus services will enhance public transport provision in the capital city. The maximum number of visitors attending a single session at the 63W Millennium Dome will be 35,000, which equates to less than 1 per cent. of the passenger traffic in the capital on any weekday morning.
There are many potential choices of mode and route for journeys to the Dome from within the London area. These journeys are therefore expected to be accommodated with only minimum impact on the capital's public transport system. Around 60 per cent. of visitors are expected to arrive at the Dome on the new extended Jubilee Line, which has sufficient capacity to carry up to 24,000 people per hour. A further 14 per cent. are expected to arrive on either the new river or Millennium Transit bus services, which are being introduced as part of the Millennium Experience Transport Strategy.