The long-awaited Luton Direct Air-Rail Transit (DART) system is now expected to open by mid-April.
The direct air-rail transit link between Luton Airport Parkway railway station and the airport had originally been due to open in 2020, but delays have led the project’s unveiling to be postponed several times, and its cost to rise from £200 million to over £280 million.
When it does open the driverless 1.4 mile line will run 24 hours a day, connecting the station with the airport terminal in under four minutes.
Currently travellers have to take a shuttle bus service between the station and the airport, and Luton Rising – the council-owned body that runs London Luton airport – said that the DART “will help provide a seamless journey from central London to the airport in just half an hour by the fastest trains”.
In December King Charles III took a ride on the Luton DART during his visit to the town, but an exact opening date has still yet to be confirmed.
However a BBC report this week quotes a spokesman for Luton Rising as stating that the system was “expected to be operational by Easter”.
