Airport
London: A game changer for Luton Airport
London Luton Airport was facing a challenge: how to get more people to leave their car behind and come to the airport by train. Ultimately, despite all the supposed convenience, private transport is not only more harmful to the environment; it also increases the volume of traffic and therefore the journey time.
This accordingly makes it unreliable. An alternative had to be found, which was attractive enough to get people to make the switch. The solution: a Cable Liner from Doppelmayr Cable Car GmbH.
2,720 people can be transported per hour and direction.
The journey as an experience
The Luton DART CLS will cover the distance of around two kilometres from Luton Airport Parkway railway station to the airport terminal in just over three minutes. This means the Luton DART offers a faster, more reliable alternative to the existing shuttle buses and makes the journey by rail significantly easier for the passengers. Compared with other transport options, the energy efficiency of the driverless system is also a winning factor.
Moreover, the journey on the modern Cable Liner is a real experience in itself, with comfortable seats and air conditioning to enhance the comfort. At peak times, travellers can get a shuttle once every four minutes on average – with no traffic jams and no stress.
The Luton DART
runs every four minutes.
Councillor Javeria Hussain
Councillor Javeria Hussain
Chair of Luton Rising
Chair of Luton Rising
“This investment will improve the attractiveness and options for rail travel to the airport, and therefore help to reduce congestion on the roads. Furthermore, it confirms our confidence in Luton‘s economic and employment growth potential.”
Effects of Covid and Brexit
Airport owner Luton Rising was convinced by the long-term experience that Doppelmayr offers. At Birmingham Airport, the company had already successfully implemented the first Cable Liner in Great Britain.
However, there were a number of additional challenges for construction of the system in Luton. The planning was complicated by Great Britain’s withdrawal from the European Union – better known as “Brexit” – and then by Covid-19. Yet, despite these adversities, Doppelmayr managed to complete the Luton DART CLS on schedule, together with Volker Fitzpatrick-Kier.
The system was handed over to the customer in October 2021. The official opening date will be announced once the ongoing regulatory testing of function and operational safety is completed. Doppelmayr Cable Car UK Limited will operate and maintain the system for the next five years, with the option of extending the contract for a further five years.
The station design and the special noise protection measures, such as the smooth, quiet vehicle transport on the two enclosed supporting cables, ensure particularly quiet operation and take into account the requirements of a densely populated area. Recently, the Luton DART also had a famous passenger: King Charles III tested the new Cable Liner.
The Luton DART
is a direct link to Luton Airport.
Technical Data:
Luton DART:
| Length: | 2,3 km |
| Travel speed: | 14 m/s |
| Journey time: | Approx. 3 minutes |
| Transport capacity: | 2.720 p/h/d |
