Train companies to charge City Hall £230,000 for Olympic volunteer travel

Train operators are to receive £230,000 of public funds to enable Olympic volunteers to travel to the games.

City Hall has taken the lead in recruiting thousands of London Ambassadors to help visitors to the capital during the games.

The Ambassadors will be “the face of London”, providing directions, assistance and information to thousands of visitors.

To enable them to travel to and from the games and other Olympic-related venues, Transport for London will provide each with special Oyster card.

When travelling on their Olympic Oyster, volunteers will need to carry ID to help prevent any improper use.

But while TfL will forego over half a million pounds in revenue and spend £15,000 on providing the Oyster cards, Train Operating Companies (TOCs) will receive a share of £230,000 in fare revenue from City Hall.

The payout means TOCs operating within London will receive a taxpayer-funded windfall for supporting the games which are already likely to deliver higher than usual levels of fare-paying passengers.