Luton-10

[pabely]

Originally Posted by LTNman

The Times is running a story that the Dart is the UK’s costliest train link at nearly £4 per mile, overtaking the Heathrow Express that costs a mere £1.50 a mile

At 16.5 miles the Heathrow Express is still a luxury when you can get a Zone 6 railcard much cheaper.

There was talk of expanding the London Travel zones to to Luton, if that ever happens I'm sure it will exclude the DART part.

[LTNman]

Originally Posted by c52

When I did a couple of hours of trial for Eurostar I got a free return ticket to Paris. Definitely a good investment of a morning. I can't say I'm tempted by the DART trial.

Ahh but did you get a free bag, pen and writing paper all covered in Dart logos and a free lunch? Well actually the lunch cost £300m

The next trialists will forgo the lunch.

At 16.5 miles the Heathrow Express is still a luxury when you can get a Zone 6 railcard much cheaper.

Which makes Luton even more expensive but the Dart will be a good experience.

[NRU74]

Originally Posted by LTNman

The Times is running a story that the Dart is the UK’s costliest train link at nearly £4 per mile, overtaking the Heathrow Express that costs a mere £1.50 a mile, if the ticket was bought online.

Fortunately for us old buggahs if we need to use Luton we can use our concessionary bus pass and travel free !

[Spanish eyes]

We don’t know if a pensions bus pass is for Luton residents only. Travel to Blackpool and only local bus pass holders can use the tram while every bus pass holder can use the buses.

[NRU74]

The Luton.gov.uk (Luton - Our Services) says it's for, amongst others, concessionary pass holders and Luton residents can get a half off the fare.

[pabely]

Actually says "All passengers holding a concessionary bus pass, such as pensioners, people with a disability or acting as companion travellers, will be entitled to free travel on the Luton DART. Residents of Luton will also be able to apply in advance for half-priced travel. Details will be announced soon."

[Spanish eyes]

So how would a pensioner from say South London know that their bus pass would cover the Dart fare and that they only needed to buy a ticket to Parkway and not the airport? Also the gate lines at both ends of the Dart would need to be manned 24/7 to allow passage.

[davidjohnson6]

Gate lines being closed and unstaffed (except for a very very short period or in case of urgent need) is generally considered a big NO

[Spanish eyes]

Not even the doors of the trains were being monitored, which is why people were getting trapped.

[Dannyboy39]

Originally Posted by Spanish eyes

So how would a pensioner from say South London know that their bus pass would cover the Dart fare and that they only needed to buy a ticket to Parkway and not the airport? Also the gate lines at both ends of the Dart would need to be manned 24/7 to allow passage.

How many pensioners from South London are actually going to be using it? I dare say 90% of people (of what would probably be a low number against all other age groups) over the age of 70 would get to the airport by car or taxi and it's unlikely they'll get there by train.
Its a freebie... you lot love to moan about everything!

[davidjohnson6]

I'm inclined to agree with Danny. Both my and my other half's parents live in south London... they pretty much insist on Gatwick or Heathrow, they don't want a 6 am departure or 11 pm arrival, and they have a strong preference for a minicab to take them to/from the airport. Crowds and a cramped experience doesn't work for the over 70s. Wizzair's well-publicised propensity for cancelling at short notice is not suitable for those who are less than robust or going on an expensive holiday. Ryanair isn't suitable for over 70s unless travelling with younger relatives. People over 80 will often have valid concerns about travelling abroad with their state of health and what happens if they need medical treatment away from the family support network and outside the NHS

All of this will strongly discourage over 70s from south London from using the DART

[pabely]

Security gets a major upgrade ready for the liquid rule changes in 2024.
https://www.airport-technology.com/n...urity-upgrade/

[LTNman]

Clever local pensioners, who are on the ball, should arrange to be picked up and dropped off at Parkway to avoid drop off and pick up charges inside the CTA.

[NRU74]

[QUOTE=davidjohnson6;11391436All of this will strongly discourage over 70s from south London from using the DART[/QUOTE]

No need to use the DART.
About 15 months ago my flight from Luton was cancelled because of snow and I couldn't get back oop northish because of snow. I got the National Express coach from the terminal to Marble Arch and returned a few days later using the same coach - all free using the concessionary pass.
So some over 70s from S London may use it if it still works with National Express, at least it parks almost outside the front door of the terminal.

[LTNman]

Strange thing about bus passes is that they can’t be used on the Greenline 757 service to London from the airport but they can from the town centre, which then stops at the airport on the way to London. No problems coming in the opposite direction though.

[NRU74]

LTNman
I think it probably was Greenline rather than National Express as 757 rings a bell.

[LTNman]

National Express indeed don’t accept bus passes.

[PAXboy]

Reading the press release about the new security system:

London Luton Airport (LLA) in the UK has selected Leidos for technological improvements across its security checkpoints. Leidos will serve in the role of principal contractor and be responsible for managing all subcontractors and consultants associated with the project.

Outsourcing is a wonderful thing. They can blame Leidos for anything and everything.

The technology provider will also deploy its security systems, along with other third-party security solutions at the checkpoints.

Outsourced and therefore any changes to staffing levels at short notice will not be easy and costs will be much higher than if they were your own staff.

These include 12 of the firm’s integrated ClearScan cabin baggage computed tomography (CT) scanners, as well as its ProPassage automated tray return systems. Installation of these systems is said to result in quicker processing of travellers at the airport’s checkpoints.

My emphasis, no point in promising that it WILL.

With the project currently underway, the first lanes are scheduled to launch to the public in the fourth quarter of this year

Time will tell. but they have given themselves 92 days.

[pabely]

Are they not the same equipment which was put into LCY and currently going into FRA. 250 airports are said to be using them so what's your point?
It reads to me as some tried and tested solution for the new requirements going forward in 2024 not some random solution

[SWBKCB]

Isn't this just installing the kit, not providing the service. Needs to be done by middle of next year to meet CAA requirements.