Javelin train not part of Boris' Oysterisation of London

MAYOR of London Boris Johnson heralded yesterday's news as the Oysterisation of the capital and outlined his Utopian view of an Oyster-only London.

London passengers will be able to use pay-as-you-go Oyster cards on all Greater London services operated by eight main line train companies.

They are Chiltern, National Express East Anglia, London Midland, First Great Western, First Capital Connect, Southern, South-eastern and South West Trains.

Unfortunately however, the Olympic Javelin train was conspicuous by its absence on said list.

The 140mph train takes just seven minutes to depart St Pancras and arrive at Stratford and is expected to transport approximately 25,000 passengers an hour, making it the key route in and out of the Olympic Park.

It's also, therefore, fundamental to London 2012 organisers' intentions who are aiming for 97 per cent of visitors to get to the Games by public transport.

But the Javelin train's omission from Johnson's Oysterisation will have done little to help organisers meet such an optimistic target.

Those pitching up at St Pancras, Oysters in tow are sure to be disappointed when they find out they have to shell out more to ride the Javelin.

Contrary to what Mayor Johnson would have us believe, the world, or the capital at least, will not be our oyster in 2012.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Chris Townsend who has masterminded London 2012’s incredibly successful commercial strategy, was credited with launching the Oyster Card during his previous role as Marketing Director at Transport for London.

Surely he’d be well-placed to put some pressure on?