London 2012 tickets will not double as Oyster cards

By Holly Hamilton, Sportsbeat

THE saga surrounding ticketing for London 2012 has taken a new turn today with the news that tickets won't be doubling up as Oyster cards for the duration of the Games.

TICKET SAGA: More changes to London 2012 ticketing policy have been made with the news tickets will not double up as Oyster cards (Getty Images)

Travel is to be free for event ticket-holders and the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology have been coming up with ways to make this work as simply as possible.

The idea was to have tickets which could be swiped over Oyster readers to enable free access to the capital's transport network.

But it seems this technology is a step too far and would have taken years to implement.

So it's back to the drawing board and more consultations with Transport for London on how to make it work.

An alternative that has not been ruled out is the tickets containing a chip which could enable them to be topped up with cash to pay for goods at the Games.

Why not follow Disney's lead in the Magic Kingdom and print London 2012 notes which can be used to buy overpriced food, drink and souvenirs at Olympic venues?

Locog have reverted to their "we are working through our ticketing plans" stance which has been rolled out before to deal with criticism over ticket prices.

While bidding for the Games, the London 2012 team promised low prices of £15 and more than half of all tickets being available for £30.

Locog have since back-tracked, blaming the uncertain economic situation for their reluctance to commit to a clear strategy.

October's World Gymnastics Championships held at the O2 Arena, or the North Greenwich Arena as it will be known during the Games for sponsorship reasons, saw the majority of tickets priced at £60.

Following the embarrassment in Beijing of near-empty stadiums, the IOC is adamant accessibility and affordability remain Locog's key objectives.

Locog's chief executive Paul Deighton is desperately hoping it is British success in the lead up to the Games, like Beth Tweddle's floor gold at the O2, which can attract the crowds.

Then the issue of ticket prices won't spoil the party.