Thames Clippers announced today that KPMG, Europe’s foremost accountancy and professional services organisation, will have exclusive sponsorship rights to its expanding scheduled commuter service. The pairing sees London’s leading river bus provider take to the Thames with a new look, as the service grows ready for 2012 when international focus falls on London.
Since launching in 1999 with one boat and capacity for 80 passengers, Thames Clippers has grown into a fleet transporting three million people a year. The annual winter timetable change next month will see the introduction of ‘Tate to Tate & Service West’ – extending the scheduled route Westbound to include St George Wharf pier at Vauxhall – and the reintroduction of a peak time London Bridge to Canary Wharf commuter shuttle offering a direct journey time of nine minutes. Weekday sailings from Blackfriars pier will also increase to include hourly departures throughout the day. KPMG’s sponsorship will aid Thames Clippers’ continued development, including opening up the potential of a further Westbound service extension as far as Putney.
The companies’ union echoes the historic link between trade and the Thames, and highlights the river as fundamental to the Capital’s transport network, namely by providing quick and easy routes to Canary Wharf. As London welcomes a huge increase in visitors next year, Thames Clippers will provide a reliable means for the thousands of expected guests to travel between central and east London in comfort and style.
Sean Collins, Thames Clippers MD, said: “I am incredibly pleased that Thames Clippers will be sponsored by KPMG, in doing so bringing the traditional relationship between the river and commerce up to date. Thames Clippers links key business districts the length of London yet the river still remains an overlooked means of transport. Despite this, passenger forecasts for 2012 see us carrying record breaking numbers and this vital support from KPMG will enable us to open visitors and commuters to the joys and flexibility of river travel. I very much see this sponsorship from KPMG as an exciting new chapter in the Clippers story.”
Terry Corby, KPMG Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, said: “This is a valuable link for us at KPMG, highlighting the importance of central London and Canary Wharf as vibrant business districts in the capital. KPMG in London has a strong affinity to the river Thames with our London bases at Canary Wharf and Blackfriars and travelling between the bases by boat is one of the most pleasant ways to make the journey. We are therefore delighted to be able to support the service by sponsoring Thames Clippers.”
Nine high speed catamarans in the Thames Clippers fleet will be rebranded with individual colouring, providing splashes of colour to the Thames as the regular winter timetable changeover takes place in October. Thames Clippers operates a 20 minute frequency between key London piers, including London Eye pier (for Waterloo) to Canary Wharf in 25 minutes, and London Bridge to Canary Wharf in 13 minutes. On board, guests can enjoy Costa Coffee, newspapers, Wi-Fi and guaranteed seating.
Ends
For Thames Clippers press enquiries, please contact Claudia Parker on Claudia.Parker@aegworldwide.co.uk / 0208 463 2580.
For KPMG press enquiries, please contact the Press Office on 020 7694 8773, or:
Gavin Houlgate, Head of Communications on 020 7694 3902 / gavin.houlgate@kpmg.co.uk
Mark Hamilton, Senior Press Office Manager on 020 7694 2687 / mark.hamilton@kpmg.co.uk
Emma Murray, PR Manager, KPMG London office : 020 7694 6506 / emma.murray@kpmg.co.uk
For more information, timetables and to book ticket, please visit www.thamesclippers.com
Notes to Editors
The winter timetable will be live from Monday 3rd October 2011.
About Thames Clippers
Thames Clippers is the leading commuter passenger boat service on the River Thames running a 20 minute frequency between key London piers including North Greenwich for The O2, Greenwich, Canary Wharf, Tower, London Bridge, Embankment and London Eye for Waterloo, as well as several residential piers.
Co-founded in 1999 by Sean Collins (Managing Director) and Alan Woods (former Chairman), the company began with one boat servicing 80 passengers a day between Greenland and Savoy piers. More than ten years on numbers have significantly risen to three million a year.
In 2006 AEG, owners and operators of The O2, acquired the majority stake in the company and since then the fleet has substantially grown to 13 vessels. The O2 Express, a direct service between Waterloo, London Bridge and The O2, runs on arena event nights.
The April 2011 timetable saw the reintroduction of a Late Night Service providing two additional hourly evening services after 9pm calling at all piers - discounts are not applicable on this service and Season Ticket holders are required to pay a £2 surcharge.
Thames Clippers SOS Tickets were launched in May 2011 and offer commuters a pre-paid alternative to disrupted weekday Jubilee line underground services.
Thames Clippers is the first river transport provider to join the Oyster card network allowing passengers to travel using their Oyster pay as you go card.
About KPMG
KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership, is a subsidiary of KPMG Europe LLP and operates from 22 offices across the UK with nearly 11,000 partners and staff. The UK firm recorded a turnover of £1.6 billion in the year ended September 2010. KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax, and Advisory services. We operate in 150 countries and have more than 138,000 professionals working in member firms around the world. The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"), a Swiss entity. KPMG International
