Luton DART and Luton Airport Parkway Updates

[jdcg]

I'm not sure that the addition of the DART is going to make it any more appealing for people going to / coming from from the City of London. I would say all the other airports are easier from the City, although there's not a huge difference. And what flights would be they leaping onto anyway? It's hardly a business airport.
But i totally agree about it being a relatively stress free and efficiently run airport compared with the alternatives.

 

[Haywain]

I reckon there's more than ticketing holding it up or they'd open it for the PR boost, even if just with limited hours.

The limited hours isn’t going to happen; there is no way the bus operation would be retained just for the less profitable and unsocial hours.

 

[Bald Rick]

I like Luton a lot too. Stansted historically has regularly delayed me (not landing, but getting bags out and the queues for clearing security) and Gatwick is far - but I'd generally favour all over Heathrow because of its sheer size and the time to get around it (even the long walk from the train depending on terminal).

I must admit my recent experiences of T5 at Heathrow have been terrific. Although it did mean I had to hold my nose and fly with the World’s self appointed favourite airline.

What's quite notable about the Luton people mover is that it'll make it, other than the tiny (and not at all pleasant to use*) London City, by far the easiest airport to get to the City from

Heathrow will be easier. 1 train from terminal direct to Moorgate / Liverpool St in 42 minutes, and about 38 minutes from May.

I don’t think there’s much chance of traditional carriers serving Luton, they all want Heathrow for the transfer passengers. I suppose there’s an outside chance of a low cost trans Atlantic operator having a go with a 321XLR.

I reckon there's more than ticketing holding it up or they'd open it for the PR boost, even if just with limited hours.

agreed.

 

[43066]

Luton Airport and free are not words that are ever associated with each other! It's a nasty money grabbing little airport

Have you seen where it’s located!?

 

[Mike395]

Just been through on the train and looks like they're doing some work on the lifts - which I suspect is one blocker to opening if they aren't working with the nature of the station.

 

[Backroom_boy]

New video up

 

[norbitonflyer]

What's quite notable about the Luton people mover is that it'll make it, other than the tiny (and not at all pleasant to use*) London City, by far the easiest airport to get to the City from,

What makes you say that? All the airports (even Southend) have direct trains from somewhere in the Square Mile, with the exception of Heathrow which will have to wait until next month.

Southend, Stansted - Liverpool Street
Luton, Gatwick - Farringdon, City TL, Blackfriars
City - Bank

 

[43066]

What makes you say that? All the airports (even Southend) have direct trains from somewhere in the Square Mile, with the exception of Heathrow which will have to wait until next month.

Southend, Stansted - Liverpool Street
Luton, Gatwick - Farringdon, City TL, Blackfriars
City - Bank

I suppose none of the other London airport stations are the train’s first stop after leaving the square mile (almost), with a journey time of only twenty minutes-ish.

 

[dk1]

According to Rail Staff Travel the DART will not accept free or priv passes.

 

[Bald Rick]

According to Rail Staff Travel the DART will not accept free or priv passes.

Outrageous!
I mean, the airport have only spent £250m of their own cash on it, and now they expect us rail staff to actually pay for the facility?

 

[dk1]

Outrageous!
I mean, the airport have only spent £250m of their own cash on it, and now they expect us rail staff to actually pay for the facility?

My sentiments exactly lol. We’ll have to walk it once the bus shuttle stops.

 

[Bald Rick]

My sentiments exactly lol. We’ll have to walk it once the bus shuttle stops.

I think I’ll stretch to the £3 (my guess).

 

[43066]

My sentiments exactly lol. We’ll have to walk it once the bus shuttle stops.

I’m sure those bendy buses (last ones remaining?) will be sorely missed by some…

 

[Bletchleyite]

I’m sure those bendy buses (last ones remaining?) will be sorely missed by some…

Bus enthusiasts perhaps, but as a service it was dire. Perhaps in line with a few of the rougher destinations from Luton (such as Bucharest-Baneasa, a nasty airport if ever I used one) but certainly not acceptable here. I always used the Arriva service from the back instead, but the shuttle is what was really needed years ago.

One thing that occurred to me is that it's a shame it isn't serving the car parks - it could have been part of a decent parking rejig - it basically goes past the mid-stay?

 

[Bald Rick]

One thing that occurred to me is that it's a shame it isn't serving the car parks - it could have been part of a decent parking rejig - it basically goes past the mid-stay?

I think it will be pretty full with rail passengers. Besides, mid stay is now not served by buses anyway.

I do expect use of Parkway car park to suddenly rise…

 

[43066]

Bus enthusiasts perhaps, but as a service it was dire. Perhaps in line with a few of the rougher destinations from Luton (such as Bucharest-Baneasa, a nasty airport if ever I used one) but certainly not acceptable here. I always used the Arriva service from the back instead, but the shuttle is what was really needed years ago.

Enthusiasts is really who I had in mind. They do look pretty dreadful in their current well used state, it has to be said.

I do expect use of Parkway car park to suddenly rise…

It always looks pretty healthily patronised (at least the bit of it clearly visible from the fast line platforms)!

 

[Bletchleyite]

I do expect use of Parkway car park to suddenly rise…

Along with the price, one suspects

 

[Bald Rick]

It always looks pretty healthily patronised (at least the bit of it clearly visible from the fast line platforms)!

I’ve never had a problem parking there, although it is reasonably well used all year round at all times of day.

 

[plugwash]

What's quite notable about the Luton people mover is that it'll make it, other than the tiny (and not at all pleasant to use*) London City, by far the easiest airport to get to the City from,

The numbers certainly don't look that way to me.

By my count heathrow has direct services to thirteen different stations in zone 1, once crossrail through running commences terminals 2-4 will get direct services to an additional three zone 1 stations.

None of the other airports come close, Gatwick seems to be second with direct services to six zone 1 stations. City has direct services to two. Stanstead just the one.

Luton users meanwhile will require a change at Luton Airpot parkway to get anywhere.

 

[43066]

None of the other airports come close, Gatwick seems to be second with direct services to six zone 1 stations. City has direct services to two. Stanstead just the one.

Luton airport will now have direct access to St Pancras via EMR in just over 20 mins. It will also have direct access to the entire TL core, including Farringdon for Crossrail, London Bridge, Croydon and the entire Brighton Mainline via Thameslink.

 

[plugwash]

If you count having to change at the parkway as "direct"

 

[stuu]

If you count having to change at the parkway as "direct"

No different to getting to Gatwick North Terminal, or for that matter the trek to the terminals at Heathrow central

 

[43066]

If you count having to change at the parkway as "direct"

There is a shuttle between Gatwick North terminal to the South where the station is located (and the walk to the station can be a long one). Heathrow is a sprawling mess, so I doubt the “connection” at LAP will be seen as significant by many

 

[87015]

I think it will be pretty full with rail passengers. Besides, mid stay is now not served by buses anyway.

I do expect use of Parkway car park to suddenly rise…

Is there a plan to allow access from Parkway entrance to DART through the GTR barriers and back out yet? That was one of the delays to opening last I heard due to 'difficult' discussions.

 

[dk1]

If you count having to change at the parkway as "direct"

I would certainly call it direct. This will be quite a game changer & marketing plus for the airport.

 

[Bletchleyite]

If you count having to change at the parkway as "direct"

Unless, as others have said, you don't consider the Birmingham or Gatwick people movers "direct", it is.

 

[Watershed]

Unless, as others have said, you don't consider the Birmingham or Gatwick people movers "direct", it is.

A key difference is that the Birmingham and Gatwick people movers are free. We don't yet know how much the fare for the Luton one will be, but I'm not expecting it to be cheap.

 

[Bletchleyite]

A key difference is that the Birmingham and Gatwick people movers are free. We don't yet know how much the fare for the Luton one will be, but I'm not expecting it to be cheap.

It's not key at all. Those on expenses simply won't care, they will just tap their card and add the £3 (I believe that's the planned fare) to their expenses claim. I'm not sure anyone else massively will, particularly as it will potentially have a through fare as the bus does now anyway.

 

[Bald Rick]

A key difference is that the Birmingham and Gatwick people movers are free. We don't yet know how much the fare for the Luton one will be, but I'm not expecting it to be cheap.

Won’t it just be the same add on as there is now?

And given the shuttle bus won’t run, there’s not exactly any obvious alternatives, unless you really know your Luton bus network (and let’s be honest, most people don’t).

 

[Bletchleyite]

Won’t it just be the same add on as there is now?

And given the shuttle bus won’t run, there’s not exactly any obvious alternatives, unless you really know your Luton bus network (and let’s be honest, most people don’t).

If anyone really doesn't want to use it, the Busway A service runs from the back of the station, but I don't see why I'd want to avoid it (unlike the present awful shuttle bus service). It's also walkable but probably further than most would walk and uphill.