Olympic VIP lanes baffle, anger London drivers

[July 25, 2012]  LONDON -- Traffic jams are sprouting up along some main roads in London as the wildly unpopular "Games Lanes" for Olympic VIPs open up, and severe delays are hitting at least two subway lines.

Two days before the Olympics officially begin, London is struggling with a host of transport issues.

Some 30 miles (48 kilometers) of special Olympic lanes began Wednesday. Private cars or taxis that stray into the lanes face a 130 pound ($200) fine.

Thousands of drivers switched to public transport, only to encounter severe delays on several London Underground lines, caused by power supply problems and signal failures.

British officials -- who have been advising Londoners for weeks to plan ahead, allow extra time or just stay home -- advised a stiff upper lip.

[Associated Press]

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