Luton Airport Parkway

[themeone]

I've just booked and collected a single from East Croydon to Luton Airport Parkway.

It's been a few years since I used Luton Airport, and have now been reminded, via the Luton Airport website, that I should have booked the ticket to "Luton Airport" in order to get the shuttle bus included.

Apparently the bus is only £1.60, so it's not the end of the world, but just wondering if anyone has experience of whether in practice a ticket to Luton Airport Parkway would be accepted on the bus?

Or is there a way I could get the ticket changed as I'm not travelling until Monday?

 

[westcoaster]

I've just booked and collected a single from East Croydon to Luton Airport Parkway.

It's been a few years since I used Luton Airport, and have now been reminded, via the Luton Airport website, that I should have booked the ticket to "Luton Airport" in order to get the shuttle bus included.

Apparently the bus is only £1.60, so it's not the end of the world, but just wondering if anyone has experience of whether in practice a ticket to Luton Airport Parkway would be accepted on the bus?

Or is there a way I could get the ticket changed as I'm not travelling until Monday?

THE busses have conductors so no you would not be able travel on it, they have ticket pads that they use to sell tickets.

 

[island]

Zero chance of getting the ticket accepted on the bus, as you won't have it then; it'll be swallowed by the gateline.

 

[Deerfold]

I've just booked and collected a single from East Croydon to Luton Airport Parkway.

It's been a few years since I used Luton Airport, and have now been reminded, via the Luton Airport website, that I should have booked the ticket to "Luton Airport" in order to get the shuttle bus included.

Apparently the bus is only £1.60, so it's not the end of the world, but just wondering if anyone has experience of whether in practice a ticket to Luton Airport Parkway would be accepted on the bus?

Or is there a way I could get the ticket changed as I'm not travelling until Monday?

You should be able to get an excess before you start your journey. However as this will cost £1.50 and the bus fare is £1.60 it's up to you to decide if it's worth the hassle.

 

[themeone]

I just checked and it seems a single to Luton Airport is the same price as one to Luton Airport Parkway (£13 with network card).

I'm annoyed with myself more than anything. I'll ask at East Croydon tomorrow.

 

[maniacmartin]

The excess should be free if the fare is the same, however some clerks are not willing to issue such an excess due to pressure from management and paperwork they have to fill in, so you might have to shop around

 

[RJ]

Apparently the bus is only £1.60, so it's not the end of the world, but just wondering if anyone has experience of whether in practice a ticket to Luton Airport Parkway would be accepted on the bus?

Not a chance. I'm selling tickets tomorrow and Sunday. Should you happen to find me, I'd happily excess it without any quibble.

 

[Deerfold]

The excess should be free if the fare is the same, however some clerks are not willing to issue such an excess due to pressure from management and paperwork they have to fill in, so you might have to shop around

The fares wouldn't be the same if it wasn't for the £13 minimum fare with the railcard. If I'd known about that my advice above would have been different.

The fare to Luton Aiport + the fare to the airport is about the same as fare to Luton Airport (as I said above) without a railcard.

 

[Paul Kelly]

Agree that there's no chance of a ticket to Luton Airport Parkway being accepted on the bus; I have rarely seen tickets inspected so closely as they are by the conductors on that bus!

 

[theageofthetra]

Agree with other comments. These tickets are checked on the bus without fail. Try and change or excess it.

 

[themeone]

Glad to report it was all excessed up this morning at East Croydon without any problems, by a very helpful and efficient ticket person.

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[drbdrb]

Since the Luton Airport Parkway bus doesn't sell train tickets when travelling from the airport, has anyone tried excessing the 'bus' tickets it does sell, into a train ticket.

 

[bb21]

Since the Luton Airport Parkway bus doesn't sell train tickets when travelling from the airport, has anyone tried excessing the 'bus' tickets it does sell, into a train ticket.

I suspect that you can't do that, with the ticket sold by a bus company.

 

[JaJaWa]

I suspect that you can't do that, with the ticket sold by a bus company.

The bus is run by First Capital Connect and uses Avantix.

 

[Deerfold]

The bus is run by First Capital Connect and uses Avantix.

The bus is legally run by First Essex East.

http://www.tan.gov.uk/tanen/vosa_se...enceNo=PF0000599&cboRegNoFilter=PF0000599/277

 

[JaJaWa]

The bus is legally run by First Essex East.

http://www.tan.gov.uk/tanen/vosa_se...enceNo=PF0000599&cboRegNoFilter=PF0000599/277

Interesting - knew they used to legally be run by First Northampton, and was wondering what had happened when that operation ended. Presume Govia will be free to "fairly award the contract" to one of their own bus companies from September 14.

 

[Deerfold]

Interesting - knew they used to legally be run by First Northampton, and was wondering what had happened when that operation ended. Presume Govia will be free to "fairly award the contract" to one of their own bus companies from September 14.

I'd assume they can award it to anyone they want, not being a government organisation. Can't think of any handy Go-ahead operations though (nearest I can think of are Central London).

 

[Abpj17]

who actually awards the contract? the station operator, the airport, or the council?

tbf, it it goes to go via but is free to passengers that's a good thing

 

[JaJaWa]

who actually awards the contract? the station operator, the airport, or the council?

tbf, it it goes to go via but is free to passengers that's a good thing

Govia don't plan to make the service free from what I've read. It's actually planned to be the first bus service outside London to accept Oyster!

The contract used to be awarded by Luton Airport (they awarded it to NCP last) and the bus was free.

First Capital Connect took control of the contracting and gained the ability to introduce a charge in return for a multi-million pound investment in new buses. I presume they cannot award First Essex a contract after 14 September so Govia will have to decide on which of their operations with a bus license should legally run it.

 

[Abpj17]

Ta - a bit more googling and I've found http://airportfocusinternational.com/new-rail-link-for-london-luton/

"The Airport will be assisting Govia with upgrades to the signage and wayfinding systems in the Terminal building, Luton Airport Parkway and St Pancras International, which will make the journey to and from London Luton easier; as well as simplified ticketing options, such as smartcards, and removing the separate and confusing charge for the shuttle bus to the Terminal building."

not actually sure what that will mean in practice! Not long to find out now...

 

[JaJaWa]

Ta - a bit more googling and I've found http://airportfocusinternational.com/new-rail-link-for-london-luton/

not actually sure what that will mean in practice! Not long to find out now...

Sounds a bit strange that Govia will help with wayfinding within the terminal building.

I suppose Govia's commitment/aspiration for Oyster all the way to Luton Airport could be achieved by Oyster to Luton Airport Parkway and then a free shuttle bus .