LUTON - 6
Join Date: Jan 2003
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The airport may not have updated its website about the new shuttle bus service but First Capital Connect certainly have...
First Capital Connect launches new shuttle bus service between Luton Airport terminal and Luton Airport Parkway station
Since Luton Airport Parkway station opened in November 1999, the number of passengers using London Luton Airport has more than doubled to almost 10 million per annum. Many of these passengers use the shuttle service to connect with the train to continue their journey.
Until 20 January 2008, threesmall buses were used on the service, which was operated by NCP on behalf of the airport. It ran every 15 minutes between 05:00 and 23:00 from the station to the airport terminal and vice-versa.
Over the past two years it became evident that the capacity and frequency of the buses was inadequate, often leaving customers standing at the station or airport and so offering an unsatisfactory standard of customer service.
In mid December 2007, with the agreement of the Department for Transport, First Capital Connect signed a contract with the airport to take over the shuttle bus operation from Sunday 20 January 2008.
New buses, higher frequency
"First Capital Connect has introduced four brand new air-conditioned vehicles to operate the new service.
The vehicles are much more suited for this service. They are longer and can carry more passengers, in fact double the capacity of the previous buses. The vehicles provide a seamless, high quality, high frequency link between the train and plane, running every ten minutes between 05:00 and midnight. They also connect with all trains calling at Luton Airport Parkway overnight.
With the cost of the four Street Cars being in excess of £1.3 million, First Capital Connect is making a considerable investment in vehicles and people. We have employed ten drivers and extra staff to sell tickets and to assist customers getting on and off the vehicle with their luggage".
A full pricing breakdown in the press release was also given but I have not included this in the above
First Capital Connect launches new shuttle bus service between Luton Airport terminal and Luton Airport Parkway station
Since Luton Airport Parkway station opened in November 1999, the number of passengers using London Luton Airport has more than doubled to almost 10 million per annum. Many of these passengers use the shuttle service to connect with the train to continue their journey.
Until 20 January 2008, threesmall buses were used on the service, which was operated by NCP on behalf of the airport. It ran every 15 minutes between 05:00 and 23:00 from the station to the airport terminal and vice-versa.
Over the past two years it became evident that the capacity and frequency of the buses was inadequate, often leaving customers standing at the station or airport and so offering an unsatisfactory standard of customer service.
In mid December 2007, with the agreement of the Department for Transport, First Capital Connect signed a contract with the airport to take over the shuttle bus operation from Sunday 20 January 2008.
New buses, higher frequency
"First Capital Connect has introduced four brand new air-conditioned vehicles to operate the new service.
The vehicles are much more suited for this service. They are longer and can carry more passengers, in fact double the capacity of the previous buses. The vehicles provide a seamless, high quality, high frequency link between the train and plane, running every ten minutes between 05:00 and midnight. They also connect with all trains calling at Luton Airport Parkway overnight.
With the cost of the four Street Cars being in excess of £1.3 million, First Capital Connect is making a considerable investment in vehicles and people. We have employed ten drivers and extra staff to sell tickets and to assist customers getting on and off the vehicle with their luggage".
A full pricing breakdown in the press release was also given but I have not included this in the above
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Between the flower pots
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Well here are the prices.
The table below shows the fares between Luton Airport and London compared with the fares charged between Luton Airport Parkway station and London up to 2 January 2008.
Description
Fares between London and Luton Airport (and vice-versa) Parkway until 01 January 2008
Fares between London and Luton Airport (and vice-versa) from 20 January 2008
% change
Standard Day Single
£11.00
£12.00
9.1%
Standard Day Return*
£21.50
£22.00
2.3%
Standard Open Return (valid I month)
£22.00
£22.00
0.0%
Cheap Day Return
£11.00
£12.00
9.1%
All Day Travelcard
£28.00
£30.00
7.1%
Off-peak Day Travelcard
£15.50
£18.00
16.1%
16.1% increase in off peak.
Is this the highest increase in the country?
The table below shows the fares between Luton Airport and London compared with the fares charged between Luton Airport Parkway station and London up to 2 January 2008.
Description
Fares between London and Luton Airport (and vice-versa) Parkway until 01 January 2008
Fares between London and Luton Airport (and vice-versa) from 20 January 2008
% change
Standard Day Single
£11.00
£12.00
9.1%
Standard Day Return*
£21.50
£22.00
2.3%
Standard Open Return (valid I month)
£22.00
£22.00
0.0%
Cheap Day Return
£11.00
£12.00
9.1%
All Day Travelcard
£28.00
£30.00
7.1%
Off-peak Day Travelcard
£15.50
£18.00
16.1%
16.1% increase in off peak.
Is this the highest increase in the country?
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Dodging Flybe at EHASC
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Slightly o/t but Farce Capital Connect (rubbish name) have massively overbid for the franchise. Rather like a few more I could mention. So they will squeeze the pips until they squeak. And the glorious leaders wonder why more people do not use public transport.....
With the economy slowing and a recession in the offing. hmmm.
With the economy slowing and a recession in the offing. hmmm.
Join Date: Jul 2002
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Just shows how little there is to talk about at LTN.
Has the new ground radar gone live yet?
Will the South Stands be used just for Silverjet or could say Ryanair base a couple more aircraft at LTN and park them there overnight?
Has the new ground radar gone live yet?
Will the South Stands be used just for Silverjet or could say Ryanair base a couple more aircraft at LTN and park them there overnight?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2001
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I guess we are mostly in a period of consolidation?
I see Ryanair have today announced that it will cost an additional £1 to check in and the same additional fee for checked bags. Is this a 'ghost' fuel supplement? Additional fees can only indicate generally a market under considerable pressure.
Now I am only a mere bear, but as oil is sold in $'s, by my calculations with the pound close to $2 currently, the price of oil is the same as it was 2 years ago when £1 bought $1.55 even though oil has increased in its dollar price since then, but what you get in dollars for your pound has increased?
Not been noted for my maths skills, but since petrol broke the £1 a litre, it has gone up far beyond the 'real' price of oil?
Anyway, Ryanair don't fly from major city airports (only they do when the market assessment on performance is load factors)? Gone are the days of flying half empty planes from places no one has ever heard off. A decline in load factors is a signal to the 'markets' of a decline, share prices effectively are somewhat based upon 'bums on seats'! I am not quite sure how the 'City' factor in yields though?
Anyway, a family of 4 flying with Ryanair, needing to check in and carrying 4 load bags are now £16 worse off on a return flight!
I see Ryanair have today announced that it will cost an additional £1 to check in and the same additional fee for checked bags. Is this a 'ghost' fuel supplement? Additional fees can only indicate generally a market under considerable pressure.
Now I am only a mere bear, but as oil is sold in $'s, by my calculations with the pound close to $2 currently, the price of oil is the same as it was 2 years ago when £1 bought $1.55 even though oil has increased in its dollar price since then, but what you get in dollars for your pound has increased?
Not been noted for my maths skills, but since petrol broke the £1 a litre, it has gone up far beyond the 'real' price of oil?
Anyway, Ryanair don't fly from major city airports (only they do when the market assessment on performance is load factors)? Gone are the days of flying half empty planes from places no one has ever heard off. A decline in load factors is a signal to the 'markets' of a decline, share prices effectively are somewhat based upon 'bums on seats'! I am not quite sure how the 'City' factor in yields though?
Anyway, a family of 4 flying with Ryanair, needing to check in and carrying 4 load bags are now £16 worse off on a return flight!
Join Date: Apr 2004
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Thanks for the few replies about parking for the day at LTN...
I actually booked with Central Storage Car Parks today, they look like on the map they are near the DHL centre and only charge me £6. No minimum charge like car parks.
Hope I can find them OK at 5am on Friday morning!
http://www.london-luton.co.uk/en/con...3/by-rail.html
This has been on there for the last 3-4 days...
I actually booked with Central Storage Car Parks today, they look like on the map they are near the DHL centre and only charge me £6. No minimum charge like car parks.
Hope I can find them OK at 5am on Friday morning!
The airport may not have updated its website about the new shuttle bus service but First Capital Connect certainly have...
This has been on there for the last 3-4 days...
Join Date: Jul 2002
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There is a LTN 747 thread running on the Aviation History and Nostalgia forum for those of you with good memories http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=309848
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: UK Home Counties
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Has the new ground radar gone live yet?
Will the South Stands be used just for Silverjet or could say Ryanair base a couple more aircraft at LTN and park them there overnight?
Route announcements due?
I had expected route announcements from at least two airlines during January, but none has been forthcoming. Firstly, Silverjet will be receiving airframes 4 and 5 in March or June (depending on which information source you use). I guess they will want to start taking bookings for the additional services as soon as they can, so an announcement from them must be due.
Secondly, I'm sure that Wizzair were expected to announce one or two more destinations for summer 08 from Luton. No announcements have been made yet, but time must be running short for booking time in advance of an April or May start.
More tentatively, Premjet have announced a start-up date of early summer for their operations but no booking is yet available. If they aren't quick, their market will book with Monarch and EasyJet.
Nothing new from Ryanair or EasyJet, but I'm unsure whether either has any capacity available on based aircraft for this summer.
No changes proposed by either Aer Arann or FlyBe as far as I can see.
And no other "exciting" announcements???
Secondly, I'm sure that Wizzair were expected to announce one or two more destinations for summer 08 from Luton. No announcements have been made yet, but time must be running short for booking time in advance of an April or May start.
More tentatively, Premjet have announced a start-up date of early summer for their operations but no booking is yet available. If they aren't quick, their market will book with Monarch and EasyJet.
Nothing new from Ryanair or EasyJet, but I'm unsure whether either has any capacity available on based aircraft for this summer.
No changes proposed by either Aer Arann or FlyBe as far as I can see.
And no other "exciting" announcements???
Paxing All Over The World
OLNEY 1
Yes, this is for the summer season, starting end of March till mid-October. The second rotation is new, as we have only had the one around the middle of the day, since the route opened. It is encouraging and I hope that traffic meets expectation.
FlyBe announced increased flights on the IOM route some time ago. Twice daily Monday through Friday and daily on Saturday and Sunday from memory.
Join Date: Nov 2005
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I hope that traffic meets expectation...
FlyBe needs to be getting its morning service into LTN at about 0800 (it should be perfectly possible to leave IoM at 0655) and back out to IoM at 0825 to arrive there at 0930.
I very much doubt that the route can support a double daily rotation aimed at 'VFR' and leisure pax, and it's surprising that FlyBe hasn't apparently recognised that LTN has long since ceased to serve primarily the 'bucket-and-spade' market.
Assuming that the economy slows down or even goes into a slight recession, initially, many business travellers will switch to the lo-co option where it's viable, as their travel budgets and expenses get cut back.
To make it a success, FlyBe really ought to be tapping into the leisure and business market on this route, especially as there's inevitably going to be at the very least, an economic slowdown this year.
Join Date: Jan 2003
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CAP 493
Have to agree with your comments.
Whilst the twice daily IOM-LTN is welcomed, it does little to encourage business traffic due to the mid-morning arrival in LTN. I don't know if this is because the aircraft is used to operate an early morning IOM-LPL-IOM, prior to departure of the LTN service.
Comparing early morning arrivals by Aer Arann from GWY & WAT for example, timings, though not perfect, are much better, since both arrive into LTN well before 0900. Infact, going back some 15 months, when Arann used to operate twice daily IOM-LTN, I'm sure their morning flight arrived at LTN around 0915.
My personal feeling, given the current timings, twice daily will struggle. Improve the early morning departure from the IOM, and it will be onto a winner.
Out of interest, this year, charter flights from LTN, will account for just 5% of all pax.
Have to agree with your comments.
Whilst the twice daily IOM-LTN is welcomed, it does little to encourage business traffic due to the mid-morning arrival in LTN. I don't know if this is because the aircraft is used to operate an early morning IOM-LPL-IOM, prior to departure of the LTN service.
Comparing early morning arrivals by Aer Arann from GWY & WAT for example, timings, though not perfect, are much better, since both arrive into LTN well before 0900. Infact, going back some 15 months, when Arann used to operate twice daily IOM-LTN, I'm sure their morning flight arrived at LTN around 0915.
My personal feeling, given the current timings, twice daily will struggle. Improve the early morning departure from the IOM, and it will be onto a winner.
Out of interest, this year, charter flights from LTN, will account for just 5% of all pax.