Luton DART
The Luton DART is an under-construction automated guided people mover which will connect Luton Airport Parkway station and Luton Airport in England. DART is an acronym for Direct Air-Rail Transit. It is scheduled to open in 2021 and will replace the existing Shuttle Bus, relieving its roads in peak times and providing a higher capacity.History
In April 2016 Luton Airport's owner announced a proposal to connect the airport with Luton Airport Parkway stationand the adjacent part of the town which is being upgraded via an automated guided people mover.
The project involves construction of bridges over the A1081 road and tunnels, along with two/three stations. The plans see the first station built at Bartlett Square in Napier Park on the east side of Luton Airport Parkway station, and the final station at the airport. There is an option for a third station midway, beside the airport's Mid-Stay Car Park. The link was approved by Luton Borough Council in June 2017. In April 2018 a VolkerFitzpatrick / Kier Group joint venture commenced construction work. If Terminal 2 of the airport goes ahead, which requires central government approval, an additional DART station would be built there.
The people mover vehicles are being constructed by the Austrian transit manufacturer Doppelmayr Cable Car who have a contract to operate the system for the first five years. It is scheduled to open in 2021.
In December 2019, a ready-constructed, -long, 1,000-tonne curved bridge was moved into place over the A1081 road on large jacks. Construction work on the line was halted briefly in April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic over concerns related to Coronavirus Health Protection Regulations, but has since resumed after a safety assessment.
