London will soon join New York City and Portland Oregan in having an aerial tramway as part of its mass transit system. What's being called the London Cable Car actually has no relation to the cable powered street trams (like the famous system in San Francisco) that are usually meant by the phrase. This one, which opens midday June 28, will take passengers on a 5 minute aerial flight, 160 feet above the Thames, connecting two major visitor attractions which are also serving as London 2012 Olympic venues, the O2 and ExCel.
Olympic Events at the O2 will include basketball and gymnastics while ExCel will host boxing, wrestling, Taekwondo, table tennis, Judo and fencing.
The single fare will be £4.30 for adults and £2.20 for children. Oyster card users will pay £3.20 and £1.60, with multiple trip tickets available for "frequent flyers". Travelcard and Freedom Pass (London's free transport pass for the over 60s) holders will get the Oyster card discount but will have to purchase their tickets from vending machines or ticket offices at the Greenwich Peninsula (for O2) and Royal Docks (for ExCel).
The Emirates Cable Car, branded for Emirates Airlines who put up £36million for a 10-year sponsorship deal, is expected to carry 2,500 passengers and hour across the river - as many as can be carried by 30 buses.
Personally, I can't wait to use it. Have a look at a flight simulation.