The upcoming mayoral elections and the 2012 London Olympics have put the City’s public transport system at the heart of recent debate.

Subject to scrutiny will be the transport system’s efforts to cope under extreme duress during the Olympic events. Expecting an extra 20 million commuters, London Metro officials described the Olympics as “the biggest sustained logistical challenge since the Second World War.”

As reporters commented: ”The fact that the PowerPoint presentation by the transport secretary, Justine Greening, crashed as she underlined that point at the launch didn't necessarily inspire confidence.”

The success of a series of initiatives, aimed at informing millions of fans in route to sporting competitions, will prove crucial for the positive outcome of the Event. Officials hope that the initiatives will cut at least 30% of traffic during the Olympic weeks.

Adding fuel to the debate are the upcoming May elections for London Mayor. Ken Livingston, Boris Johnson’s main political rival, frequently attacked his opponent on his stance on the City’s public transport service.

Since Johnson took office, fares have gone up by 7% angering most of the city’s population. Observers have frequently stated that whoever will be more convincing on the area of public transport will bring home the victory.

With London being the most populous municipality of the European Union, the 2012 Olympics and the May Elections will prove decisive for all us Europeans living in the city.