The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), together with Britain’s train operators, are giving their full support to the London 2012 Olympic bid.
Sebastian Coe, Chairman of London 2012, will today unveil a Thameslink train dressed in London 2012 livery to promote London’s bid to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games to the capital in 2012.
The train will travel daily between Bedford and London St Pancras until May this year, when Thameslink services resume running through London. It will therefore be seen by thousands of people across London and the South-East.
The London 2012 train, a Thameslink 319 (4 car), is the first in a series of trains to be wrapped in London 2012 branding and is part of an overall campaign worth more than £500,000 being made by train operating companies to increase public awareness of the bid and win support to bring the Games to the UK.
Other initiatives include incorporating the London 2012 Olympic bid logo and branding on five million tickets, 5,000 posters being displayed at stations across the rail network, on-train advertising, train window stickers and selective station signage. (See Notes to Editors).
Also attending the launch will be Tony McNulty, Minister of Transport and Keith Ludeman, Chairman of the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) and Chief Executive of Go-Ahead Rail, which runs Thameslink services.
Keith Ludeman said:
“Hosting the 2012 Olympic Games is an exciting opportunity for London. Train operating companies are proud to be supporting the bid and will play their full part in ensuring the right level of service is provided to meet the anticipated demand.”
Tony McNulty said:
“I am delighted that London’s transport network is playing such a crucial role in generating excitement and support for our bid. The transport system is one of the huge strengths of our bid with the Olympic park being served by 10 railway lines and 15 bus routes. I am confident that we can deliver the greatest Games ever but we must now all take every available opportunity to let the International Olympic Committee know that.”
Sebastian Coe, Chairman of London 2012 said:
“We are very grateful for the support of ATOC and Thameslink. The branded train looks fantastic and will continue to raise the visibility of London’s bid and catch commuters’ attention. We are committed to delivering fast, frequent and reliable transport for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This train will help spread our message nationwide and shows we will be proud to host the 2012 Games.”
The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), in conjunction with train operators, is currently preparing detailed delivery plans for train service provision and station staffing during the Olympic Games, working closely with Transport for London, the Strategic Rail Authority and the proposed Olympic Transit Authority.
For further information, please contact:
ATOC Press Office on 020 7841 8020
Thameslink Press Office on 020 7620 5253
London 2012 Press Office on 020 7093 5100
Notes to Editors
1. A photo call will take place at 11.15 on platform 12, St Pancras interim station, Pancras Road, London on Monday 24 January. A map can be emailed on request. Please contact the ATOC Press office on 020 7841 8020 or mailtatocnews@atoc.org for further details.
2. A full list of ATOC and train operating companies’ initiatives to support London 2012 is attached.
National Rail – London 2012 Campaign
TRAIN VINYLS
o Thameslink 319 unit fully wrapped – Monday 24th January 2005
o London Lines – To fully wrap a 313 unit (by time of IOC visit)
o One – To fully wrap a 315 unit (by time of IOC visit)
o FGW Link – To fully wrap a 165 unit (by time of IOC visit)
INTERNAL TRAIN TREATMENTS
o Thameslink – above door adverts in whole fleet
o First Great Western – A3 vestibule adverts in entire fleet
o First Great Western Link – Vestibule adverts in entire fleet
o South West Trains – over 300 carriages to have window stickers (> 3000 in total)
STATION BRANDING
o National Rail Double Royal poster at 1,000 stations across the whole of UK
o 6,000 Quad Royal route maps branded with London 2012 message on display
o London Lines to brand gate lines at Euston & Fenchurch Street
o Key London mainline stations including Euston, Charing Cross, Paddington, Liverpool Street, London Bridge, Waterloo, Stratford and Gatwick Airport will be fully dressed in London 2012 branding over the next few weeks.
STAFF & OTHER ACTIVITY
o Badges distributed to South West Trains and Thameslink
o Staff briefing through Newsrail Express article
o A4 version of National Rail poster sent to all booking offices
o A4 version of National rail poster sent to all licensed travel agencies
o Derivative timetables branded with London 2012 message
o 2 for 1 marketing campaign carry London 2012 branding
o London Connection leaflets carry London 2012 brand
o National Rail and Toc websites carry London 2012 brand and link
o Day Travelcard stock carries London 2012 advert on the reverse (4.5 million ordered by booking offices to date)
About ATOC
The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) is the official voice for the passenger rail industry – representing train companies to the government and other opinion formers on transport policy issues. Britain’s train operators are working together to change rail travel for the better.
ATOC manages many joint activities for train operators including revenue allocation and settlement, impartial retailing, National Rail Enquiries, railcard marketing, staff travel arrangements, international products and travel agent licensing.
About Thameslink
Thameslink provides the unique north – south rail service through London. It serves two airports – Gatwick and Luton; stops at five London stations and provides ten direct connections with underground train services.
About London 2012
London 2012 is the organisation bidding to bring the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to the capital in 2012. It is chaired by double Olympic gold medallist Sebastian Coe. The decision on which city will host the Games is taken by the International Olympic Committee on 6th July 2005 in Singapore