A short history

Twelve years above the Thames.

London is a city of bridges, tunnels and ferries — but only one cable car. Its story starts with the Olympics and continues into a slower, quieter chapter as a working transport link and tourist attraction in the regenerating Royal Docks.

A Vision for the East

As the 2012 Olympic Games drew closer, there was a need to create additional connections between London's East End, specifically the area surrounding the Olympic Park in Stratford and the Greenwich Peninsula. At this point in time, Transport for London (TfL) was searching for creative solutions to help join these newly created waterfront communities together and to create a viewable experience for both local residents and visitors. A primary focus of the cable car initiative was not the alleviation of peak hour commuters, similar to those found on the Underground or DLR. However, rather than an alternative method to reach work, it focused on being an option to move attendees between two major venues: the Royal Victoria Dock (ExCeL London), located on the northern bank of the River Thames, and the O2 Arena (previously known as the Millennium Dome), which is located on the Greenwich Peninsula to the south. This option provided advantages for people traveling to attend events held at both locations, avoiding road traffic and allowing attendees to enjoy the spectacular views available along the way.

Funding and Building

Securing funds for such a large-scale transportation project within London is generally challenging. The proposed cable car system was estimated to have a price tag of approximately £60 million. Primarily funded via a sponsorship agreement, Emirates, a Dubai-based airline, agreed to fund £36 million over ten years beginning in 2011. Due to the sponsorship agreement, the cable car was named Emirates Air Line. Funding also came from the European Regional Development Fund and additional contributions from TfL.

Following confirmation of the sponsorship agreement, construction of the cable car system commenced. Oversight responsibilities rested with TfL. Partners who assisted in completing this project included Mace and Doppelmayr Garaventa. Specifically, Doppelmayr, an Austrian company with worldwide expertise in designing and building rope-way systems, designed the cable cars used in the IFS Cloud Cable Car. To meet a tight deadline prior to the opening of the 2012 Olympic Games, construction required erection of two large towers on either side of the Thames River at heights of 90–95 meters. Additionally, a single cable measuring 1.1 km was installed in conjunction with construction of the towers.

Official Opening & The Olympic Years

The Emirates Air Line officially opened to members of the general public on 28 June 2012, mere weeks prior to commencement of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The opening celebration featured former Mayor of London Boris Johnson and several other notable guests. Initially positioned as a tourist destination as well as a means to connect communities, it quickly became apparent that it could serve another purpose during the Olympic Games — providing a different method of transporting spectators.

From day one of operations, each cabin of the Emirates Air Line transported ten passengers while they enjoyed unobstructed views of the Olympic Park, Thames Barrier and many parts of London. The exposure provided by serving as a form of spectator transportation during the Olympics will likely assist in establishing it as a recognizable new feature of London.

Challenges Following the Olympics & Adapting

Following an end to the initial excitement generated by the Olympics, numerous concerns arose regarding ridership levels and long term viability as a viable transportation resource. Although popular with visitors and tourists, it failed to integrate itself into the everyday commute network. Although it served as a convenient method of connecting venues used by attendees of events hosted at both locations (i.e. ExCeL London and O2 Arena), neither location served as a central hub for most Londoners' daily commutes.

To increase usage beyond purely tourist-related activity, TfL implemented measures intended to entice increased usage among commuters. These measures included acceptance of Oyster cards and contactless payments, as well as creation of a lower "commuter fare" rate for regular users. Unfortunately, despite these actions, ridership statistics remain largely comprised of non-commute related travelers.

Rebranding & The Future

In October 2022, TfL formally ended their agreement with Emirates Airlines following expiration of the agreement. Subsequently, TfL announced a new partnership with IFS Cloud — a Swedish enterprise software company. On 18 October 2022, the cable car was officially renamed the IFS Cloud Cable Car. According to reports, the value of IFS Cloud's five year sponsorship agreement is worth approximately £7 million per annum. The new sponsorship agreement guarantees continued operation and maintenance of all aspects of the cable car.

Currently, the IFS Cloud Cable Car is one of London's newest additions to its diverse collection of transportation options and one of the most entertaining attractions available. Providing an unobstructed view of London's rapidly changing East End and a testament to how private funding can combine with public transportation initiatives to promote innovation in modern-day London. It may never become a viable means of daily commuting capacity; however, it provides perhaps one of the best scenic routes currently available in London.

Timeline

1. 2010
   Announced

   Boris Johnson, then Mayor of London, unveils plans for a cable car across the Thames to serve the 2012 Olympic Games.

2. 2011
   Construction

   Three towers up to 87 metres tall are erected on either side of the river. The cables, manufactured in France, span 1.1 km of water.

3. 2012
   Opening as Emirates Air Line

   Opened on 28 June 2012, ten years to the day after the airline's first London flight, with Emirates as ten-year title sponsor.

4. 2022
   IFS Cloud takes over

   After the Emirates deal expired, the line is rebranded the IFS Cloud Cable Car, with new branding on cabins, towers and stations.

5. Today
   Part of TfL

   Operated as part of the Transport for London network, accepting contactless and Oyster, and offering both single tickets and discovery experiences.

The numbers behind it

• 1.1 km
  river crossing length
• 90 m
  height above the Thames
• 34 gondolas
  each carrying up to 10 people
• ~2,500 / hr
  design capacity in each direction
• ~10 min
  standard flight time
• £60m
  approximate build cost (2012)

Frequently asked questions

What was previously known as the London Cable Car?

Prior to renaming, the London Cable Car was referred to as Emirates Air Line. The name change occurred due to Emirates terminating their sponsorship agreement.

When did the London Cable Car begin operating?

Operations for the London Cable Car began on 28 June 2012. Operations began merely weeks prior to commencement of the London Olympic Games.

What is the approximate length of a trip using the IFS Cloud Cable Car?

The trip across the River Thames aboard the IFS Cloud Cable Car spans approximately 1.1 kilometres (approximately 0.68 miles).

Are Oyster Cards accepted for travel using the IFS Cloud Cable Car?

Yes. Travelers are able to pay for travel using Oyster Cards and contactless payment methods.