Authority granted for Luton DART operation

THE Department for Transport has granted authority to operate for Luton DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit), which is due to open next year.

The cable-driven automated people mover will transfer passengers between Luton Airport Parkway station and the airport terminal in less than four minutes, replacing the current shuttle bus service.

Funded by the airport, which is owned by Luton Council, the £225m project, completed jointly by contractors VolkerFitzpatrick and Kier, has included the construction of stations at either end, a tunnel to the terminal, a viaduct and the new Gateway Bridge over Airport Way.

The first car was placed onto the system for testing in March.