Introducing the Cable Car

TfL's transport responsibility takes to the sky!

The London Cable Car, the UK's first urban cable car, created a new link across the Thames when it joined the Capital's transport network in 2012. (28s)

First Cable Car Delivered to Greenwich, Transport for London, 2012-05-01, From the collection of: TfL Corporate Archives
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The first cabins, or gondolas, arrived in May 2012

Ticket Used by Mayor of London on Opening Day of Cable Car (2022-12-16) by Transport for LondonTfL Corporate Archives

First Day Issue Boarding Pass

The service was opened on 28 June 2012, in time for the 2012 London Olympics

View of Royal Docks Cable Car Station, Transport for London, 2023-02-01, From the collection of: TfL Corporate Archives
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View of Greenwich Peninsula Cable Car Station, Transport for London, 2023-02-01, From the collection of: TfL Corporate Archives
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The eastern end of the cable car line is at Royal Docks, home of the ExCeL Centre, while the western end is within walking distance of the O2

During the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics the Emirates airline was used for over 850,000 passenger trips. (10s)  

Cable Car Stations on the Tube Map, Transport for London, 2022-09-01, From the collection of: TfL Corporate Archives
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Soaring high over the river the Cable Car has also become a destination its own right

Collage of London Cable Car Views (2022-02-01) by Transport for LondonTfL Corporate Archives

Passengers are treated to a bird's eye view from the cabin of the City, Canary Wharf, historic Greenwich, the Thames Barrier and London City Airport

Transport for London video of a London Cable Car trip. (14m 18s)

A Couple Enjoy a Trip on the Cable Car, Transport for London, 2023-02-01, From the collection of: TfL Corporate Archives
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Valentine's Day Promotion of the Cable Car, Transport for London, 2022-02-12, From the collection of: TfL Corporate Archives
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The Cable Car had over 1.5m customers in 2022/23, the highest since 2015/16, making it one of the most popular paid for attractions not only in London but across the UK

Pokemon Takeover the Cable Car (2022-08-17) by Nick TurpinTfL Corporate Archives

We never know who might turn up!

Credits: Story

Story compiled by TfL using information in records at the Transport for London Corporate Archives. The Corporate Archives seeks to preserve and make accessible records, not to interpret them. A wider range of material is available for physical consultation.

Permission is granted to reproduce for personal and educational use only.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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