Queen’s funeral is bigger than 2012 Olympics, says transport bosses
TRANSPORT chiefs say they are facing a bigger challenge than the 2012 Olympics as more than a million mourners head to London to pay their respects to the Queen.
The Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators, warned of “unprecedented demand” during the Queen’s lying-in-state.
And Transport for London boss Andy Byford said the Underground faced the “biggest event and challenge”.
He added: “I think this is harder than the Olympics.
"With a sporting event, you know where and how many people are going.
"With an event like this, there are more unknowns.”
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Network Rail pledged to run services “through the night” on selected routes and extra trains on Monday for the Queen’s funeral.
But TfL warned some stations could be shut “at short notice” if crowds become too large, with advice saying “safety measures such as closures, non-stopping trains or changes to the way customers enter or exit a station may be necessary.”
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Mourners have been urged to avoid Green Park Tube station, near Buckingham Palace, after crowds forced it to briefly close last weekend.
TfL said it would monitor hotspots “minute by minute”.
Elsewhere, Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham expressed “serious concerns” over train operator Avanti’s promises for an extra eight services a day to the capital after it emerged tickets would only be released at short notice.
