please empty your brain below
I watched the report on this Water Bus service on TV last night and thought I had misheard the price.
Nothing would give me greater pleasure than see this company go txts up and fail.
The company spokesman was saying this service would continue after the games...as you rightly mention DG...absolute nonsense.
Saw "Lord" Coe the other day being interviewed and when asked about the corporate ticketing he guaranteed that 75% of the tickets had been sold to the general public. However, the question that was NOT asked was to which events were these tickets available for? I'm sure Water Polo and Synchronised Swimming have their fans but it is the Blue Riband athletic events that most people want to see. In other words, how many of the ordinary ticket buying public will be there to see the final of the 100 metres as against the corporate spongers?
This London Olympics has so far been about lies, corporate greed and eye watering amounts of wasted public money...and it hasn't even started yet!
Well done DG on your precise and accurate reports on the games. Keep it up mate. There is nowhere else to turn to for the truth.

Bernie | 15.05.12 - 8:04 a.m. | #

How appalling that public money was spent on this. Can we get our money back?

Dan | 15.05.12 - 8:09 a.m. | #

Public money invested to support what looks (on the details provided) to be profiteering? That really does chime with the Olympic spirit...and makes a £1.50 bag of crisps seem like a billy-bargain.

Waterhouse | 15.05.12 - 8:27 a.m. | #

I could walk these journeys faster and a damm site cheaper, I think that it will be a case of these boats being used almost exclusivly by the corporate sponsers travelling to Formans Fish Island Riviera and the other overpriced tent next door, it always amazes me that some people have a great deal more money than common sense.

fishislandskin | 15.05.12 - 8:39 a.m. | #

The WC experience already has the whiff of a failed enterprise.

Great Aunt Annie | 15.05.12 - 8:49 a.m. | #

I suspect they have set the price and terms and conditions aiming to get no bookings at all - for they don't really have any boats ready for service, but are taking the subsidies and running. they are merely pretending to offer a service.

botogol | 15.05.12 - 10:07 a.m. | #

But the whole olympic brand is a wallet emptying exercise - both individually, corporately and governmentally. The IOC and any providers are simply laughing all the way to the bank. I wish I'd thought of it...

Richard | Homepage | 15.05.12 - 10:08 a.m. | #

Interesting stuff.
In addition to the rubbish these people are talking about boats, I think their talk of helicopter transfer is nonsense.
There are serious air traffic restrictions throughout the games, and if I read this document correctly then a helicopter isn't going to get permission to go anywhere near Tottenham.
http://olympics.airspacesafety.com/airspace-restrictions/restrictions-14-july-2012-to-15-august-2012

IslandDweller | 15.05.12 - 10:09 a.m. | #

You didn't mention that you can hire a whole boat for a whole day at a corporate rate of £75,000! I boated past three of these ugly beasts on Saturday (blogged about it last night). They are in no way luxury - they are not insulated or lined out (with wood etc) - just one layer of steel, a bit of carpet on the floor and a few sofas - so very much a boat for the summer only.

It is all very well to say they should fail - it looks like an appalling business plan and I have a horrible feeling they will - but there are lots of livelihoods riding on this, from the steerers who have had to give up other work to commit themselves to it, to the well-respected firm of boatbuilders who built/are building the things.


Sarah | Homepage | 15.05.12 - 11:35 a.m. | #

When you consider that a ticket for Thorpe Park costs around £42, and gives you a whole day's worth of amusement (rather than 40 minutes), the cost of a ride on the Water Chariots at £95 is indeed astronomical. I get the feeling this is aimed at the corporates rather than the general public, but with the corporates cutting back on unnecessary expenses, I think this venture is doomed to fail, alas, before its even started.

Andrewh | Homepage | 15.05.12 - 12:43 p.m. | #

I take it this http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-18060386 alas isn't you? But maybe later on a major retrospective ...

dg writes: Unfortunately the gallery emailed me about it, thinking I couldn't resist a visit. So I'm resisting.

Debster | Homepage | 15.05.12 - 1:00 p.m. | #

Rip-off Britain...

Kim | 15.05.12 - 1:40 p.m. | #

I make it ten past six...

dg writes: It would be ten past six, except there isn't a boat leaving at 6:50, you have to catch the 6:30, so it's ten to six. Honest.

swirlythingy | Homepage | 15.05.12 - 1:52 p.m. | #

Yes those prices are preposterous and the prospect of a canalboat ride thru limehouse in July (however brief) hardly seems appealing but let's just wait and see shall we? If the corporate demand exists then good luck to the WC crew and we'll get our taxpayers' money back in employment and taxes. If WC thought they could just flush some grants out of the scheme they'll be sunk cos £300k don't buy much in the way of canal going craft and what will they all be worth after September? The nimbys, nogoes, NoLimpix harpies love a chance to shreek indignantly about all parts of the 2012 events I'll reserve judgement til WC and everyone else has had a chance to actually stage something and we see how good bad or otherwise it turns out to be.
I'll wager no commenter on this post would ever have dreamt of going to the limpic park on a canal boat so why all the frenzy?

Sciurus Carolinensis Nemesis | 15.05.12 - 4:10 p.m. | #

I have today phoned British Waterways and they confirmed that no payment has ever been made by them to Water Chariots im not sure where your info has come from but i've heard it from the horses mouth.
British Waterways did also point out that Water Chariots are offering a FREE service to wheelchair users.

Limehouse resident | 15.05.12 - 11:53 p.m. | #

I took the £300,000 figure from a British Waterways press release last summer.

"The waterbus route has been made possible following investment of £300,000 by British Waterways, London Thames Gateway Development Corporation and the Olympic Delivery Authority."

True, it didn't say the money went direct to Water Chariots, but their facilities wouldn't be up and running without public money.

diamond geezer | Homepage | 16.05.12 - 12:01 a.m. | #

Anyway there is absolutely no guarantee that any given part of British Waterways knows what any other part is doing.

Sarah | Homepage | 16.05.12 - 12:11 a.m. | #

I am intrigued though. It sounds as if they invested in the route - i.e. the waterway - rather than the boats. Lock improvements?

Sarah | Homepage | 16.05.12 - 12:14 a.m. | #

The £300k was spent by British Waterways on cleaning up the rivers, not as a payment to WC.
I do accept your comments about the price but surely the post olympic price will be much lower ?

Limehouse resident | 16.05.12 - 12:43 a.m. | #

Here in Seattle there is a water-land-tour service where tourists begin riding in an amphibious land vehicle, which then enters Lake Union and boats around the downtown view through the lake.

The amazing thing about this tour service is how popular it is. One day I counted a fresh batch of 50 tourists driving past about every 5 minutes. I think they pay about $30 a seat for the experience. This goes on all day long... all summer long.

jon | 16.05.12 - 1:05 a.m. | #

There is a similar amphibious tour in London, www.londonducktours.co.uk. Great fun!

NLW | 16.05.12 - 6:48 a.m. | #

I presume I am the only one who noticed the drinks difference between the Olympics and Paralympics.

...no Champagne option for the Paralympics.

Which is the sort of revelation that will get the disabled lobby fuming.

IanVisits | Homepage | 16.05.12 - 12:22 p.m. | #

The paralympic tickets will only be £50. Champagne will be available to buy.

Anon. | 16.05.12 - 6:29 p.m. | #

According to the first press release on Water Chariots website...

"Tickets for travel to the Paralympic Games, which also include a glass of champagne, will cost £50.00 for an adult return, and £25.00 for a child"

So if you read one thing the champagne's free, and if you read another it's not.

diamond geezer | Homepage | 16.05.12 - 8:24 p.m. | #

According to this link there is another boat company offering Olympic services, though the article is a little lacking in detail so it's not clear how it links in with the 'Water Chariots'.

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/jmagnay1/100024871/london-2012-olympics-rich-and-powerful-will-get-vip-protection-on-the-thames/

Whiff | 17.05.12 - 5:37 a.m. | #

That other boat company is the high speed water taxi from central London referred to by DG - they will connect at Limehouse.

The water taxis do apparently take wheelchair users for free, but in the FAQ it says that "We apologise that we are unable to take unaccompanied wheelchair passengers." So at best you could get two for the price of one, (or possibly three for the price of one if both wheelchair spaces are used and they share a chaperone).

timbo | 18.05.12 - 8:52 a.m. | #

Well said. I live in Stratford myself and was looking forward to this service since they moved the Pride of Lee up to Broxbourne. I am utterly disgusted and hope every boat goes empty. A family of 4 for the cost of 3 trips could have a weeks holiday on a narrow boat. Greedy greedy greedy.

Carol Ives | 19.05.12 - 12:08 p.m. | #

I don't think it correct to wish the business to fail. They are taking advantage of an opportunity. If its too much money, don't use it.

None | 20.05.12 - 9:55 p.m. | #

we have established that WC have never received any money from British Waterways so why are you continuing to spread this malicious rumor?
It looks to me that the company has launched a corporate service for the olympics but why do you want it to fail? if the service continues to run after the games it will need to be affordable to local people so it could be good news for all of us. Water Chariots is a local business and as local residents we should all support it

limehouse resident | 21.05.12 - 12:11 a.m. | #

limehouse resident: where has he said that British Waterways gave them the money?

He says they were helped by it.

I am helped by the bus company giving out timetables but they don't give me money for printer ink, likewise there is a difference here!

And charging £100 for a tiny ride is not the way to go about things. What's to say they will put the price down?

Daniel | 21.05.12 - 3:57 a.m. | #

Actually, Henley regatta is a value day out - check weather forecast, bring your own drink, food and a blanket / camping stool to sit on, pick a good spot on the bank (requires showing up very early Friday or Saturday), and you're set. Price: train fare only.

Or you could pay a lot of money in order to get into the enclosures, where you can pay a lot of money to drink and eat (as you can't bring your own) and possibly be required to wear formal stuff (Stewards), in order to see the race finish (and not much else) as opposed to the middle 1k or so...

Pete | 24.05.12 - 4:58 p.m. | #

I'm pro-Olympics and was considering applying for part-time work with these people as I can drive a canal boat and thought it might be a nice way to get involved and soak up the atmosphere around the Olympic park. But the whole thing has a really dodgy and badly managed feel about it, so I won't be touching it with, err, a bargepole.

James | Homepage | 30.05.12 - 10:16 a.m. | #

Prince Charles is going for a ride in a Water Chariot tomorrow:
http://www.princeofwales.gov.uk/diary/wednesday_13th_june_2012_1744084298.html

James | 12.06.12 - 12:08 p.m. | #

I booked 10 tickets with water chariots as its the only way to get to the olympics in style and in less than 2 hours! as LOCOG are recommending 5 hours to leave on tube! I changed my names 2 weeks after booking and they didnt charge me, also you can change the timings as I got this wrong to.. they are a great company and they helped me loads! I cant wait to use there boats to travel in style... instead of getting the tube and using the roads.. 35 miles of traffic! 9,000,000 people using tubes during the olympics.. im happy i have my tickets for the water bus :)

Laura Eden | 16.07.12 - 4:54 p.m. | #

If you're a genuine customer, Laura, I'd be amazed.

In particular...
  • Water Chariots aren't the only way to get to the Olympic Park in less than 2 hours.
  • LOCOG aren't recommending "5 hours to leave on tube", that's drivel.

    You'd have to be unbelievably disorganised to have booked your ticket under a wrong name and a wrong time.

    Or you'd have to be a made-up customer writing a fictional comment.

    diamond geezer | Homepage | 16.07.12 - 5:04 p.m. | #

    • Some interesting info on your blog but im confused where it came from. I just booked 2 return water chariots tickets for £45 each, there was an option to upgrade to a £95 ticket but im not one to travel 1st class.

    David Carter | 26.07.12 - 3:24 a.m. | #

    Hi David.
    Water Chariots have halved their prices since launching in May. Whatever, £45 return for a 2½ mile boat journey is still a rip-off.

    diamond geezer | Homepage | 26.07.12 - 6:45 a.m. | #

    So much hate for something that doesn't affect you. No one is forcing you to uae Water Chariots.

    Build a bridge and get over it. Drivel-bots

    | 27.07.12 - 4:22 p.m. | #

    i live on the banks of the lea, each boat that has gone passed this evening is travelling over the 4mph speed limit for this stretch of the lea. causing a large wake. several boats a day for the next few weeks, doing the same - will damage the banks and also the wildlife. several nesting birds with young use the banks. it shows a level of ignorance, that combined with the high prices being charged, is sure to cause a lot of local dissatisfaction.

    ted | 29.07.12 - 10:09 p.m. | #

    i live on the banks of the lea, each boat that has gone passed this evening is travelling over the 4mph speed limit for this stretch of the lea. causing a large wake. several boats a day for the next few weeks, doing the same - will damage the banks and also the wildlife. several nesting birds with young use the banks. it shows a level of ignorance, that combined with the high prices being charged, is sure to cause a lot of local dissatisfaction.

    ted | 29.07.12 - 10:09 p.m. | #

    Cycled past at 8 this morning in lime house. 11 boats, 2 customers, even less, zero customers at 4pm. Is anyone using it?

    Martin | 30.07.12 - 8:05 p.m. | #

    Yes I know a lot of people that are using it and say its absolutely fantastic!

    | 02.08.12 - 3:11 p.m. | #

    I actually thought that this was a great idea - I drive past most mornings at tottenham hale. However it looks like the boats are being completely unused and at that price I can see why!

    Ellen | 02.08.12 - 4:33 p.m. | #

    Go down to Limehouse basin on Sunday and you will all be eating your words. I wish people would stop talking rubbish - just let them get on with it!

    | 03.08.12 - 8:15 p.m. | #

    I went down to Limehouse basin on Monday. No customers, 10 of the boats tied up and not in service, and the private champagne bar replaced by a public coffee stand. It's hard to see how this is a viable enterprise.

    diamond geezer | Homepage | 07.08.12 - 12:12 a.m. | #











    TridentScan v2.10.0 | Privacy Policy