Luton Rising has confirmed that the Luton DART connecting London Luton Airport with national rail services has officially opened, with full service commencing today, 27 March.
This electric automated people mover (APM) service connects Luton Airport Parkway rail station with London Luton Airport in under four minutes.
Cllr Hazel Simmons MBE, Leader of Luton Council, said:It was as long ago as 2014 that we first began thinking about how we could improve our airport’s rail passenger transfer, how it could be a world-class experience to tempt people away from their cars, and how it could be future-proofed to support onward growth. Here we are now, on the cusp of an exciting new era for our town, our airport, and the people of Luton who benefit from its success.
Tickets for the Luton DART can now be purchased from national rail retailers, with single tickets costing 4.90 GBP. Advance tickets starting at 10 GBP can also be purchased for travel from St Pancras International, enabling passengers to access the airport from central London in as little as 32 minutes.
However, the DART service will be free for Luton Airport staff, and residents of Luton can benefit from half-priced travel.
This official opening follows three weeks of trial services, where the Luton DART operated on a restricted timetable.
The 24/7 APM is cable-drawn and electrically powered. Its introduction supports Luton Airport’s sustainable growth by reducing the environmental impact of passenger transport and the congestion on surrounding roads.
Graham Olver, Chief Executive Officer of Luton Rising, said:The Luton DART provides new speed, reliability and convenience for rail passengers.
In improving the connectivity between the national rail network and our airport system, it’s also a game-changer for our airport’s competitive position in the London and UK aviation systems – and that secures and enhances prospects for everyone who relies on our airport for their own prosperity.
