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It is now almost 2 years since T5 started operations. The monorail PODS however, still lie idle. They were supposed to operate bewteen the business car park and T5 but does anyone out there know when they will begin operations. The BAA teasingly suggest spring 2010!
Indeed everything points to Spring 2010:
www.businesstraveller.com/discussion/topic/Space-Age-ULTra-Pod-Track-Being-Constructed-at-LHR
The (Welsh) manufacturer's (North America) website 'latest schedule' page also suggests late Spring:
Passenger trials happened late March. You can see a video here:
www.ultraprt.com/news/61/149/Passenger-Trials-at-Heathrow/
No but due date is now the "12th of never !!!"
Funding is a problem as it was diverted to give the CEO a bonus after he got out his shovel and moved the snow himself.
The company that manufactured and owned the software for the monorail went bust in 2010...
and..........................???????
next......................??
I was up at LHR most of this morning and the pods where certainly in use, but due to the tinted windows it was hard to see if there where people in them. One thing that was different from last time I saw the pods was that this time they had been painted purple with Heathrow logos on them.
Anybody k now how much money the BAA have wasted here on this toy railway? I drive by frequently to/from T5 with overseas colleagues who express amazement with it. More importantly how can this earn revenue or even reduce road transfer when multiple buses and other airport shuttle buses pass the car park entrance itself.
This is what I found out about the subject.
"Heathrow PRT pod passenger trials underway"
http://www.breakingtravelnews.com/news/article/heathrow-prt-pod-passenger-trials-underway/
They have been running on a trial basis since last August. Sadly as with all infrastructure projects handled by the BAA, this one is also a farce. T5C will be the next one though from other sites I see they have already had some stunning mess ups with the limited trial they are running now.
They are up and running! Went in one yesterday, very efficient, ends up at Level 2 of the short term car park
I went in them yesterday as well and they are pretty good, on demand and better than a shuttle bus.
used them yesterday, much much better than a bus! something of excellance at a british airport.
I am not taking the grandkids to legoland anymore, I am going to let them ride the T5 mono all day, more fun and less waiting!! haha
Used them last Saturday - what an improvement on a bus - no waiting, clean, efficient and you have your own personal space. Great!
It looks really amusing when you drive under on perimeter road. A cross between a ride at Disneyland and the Daleks invading earth. Interesting the windows are blacked out. I guess with that shape it is just to difficult to look cool inside if you can be seen. Great news it is finally working. What is the ride length and can I get a fastpass (Disney joke for those without kids).;-)
Steve will this bring about a new thread call "obnoxious kids in T5 pods"!!!
Does anyone remember when BAA said they were going to launch this as access to a variety of facilities across the Northern Perimeter - Car Rental, Hotels, etc? Whatever happened to those plans ... I remember a map showing the layout, but unsurprisingly, can't find it now.
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