Fascinating bit of history for transit nerds here.
On the walkway between Terminals A and C at DFW, you can clearly see a pair of inactive guideways that used to be the Vought Airtrans people mover system.
On the walkway between Terminals A and C at DFW, you can clearly see a pair of inactive guideways that used to be the Vought Airtrans people mover system.
Airtrans was the largest airport people mover system ever built.
At its peak it consisted of 5 lines serving 33 stations between 4 terminals, the parking lots, a hotel, and a number of stations for airport employees.
That's bigger than the transit systems of many cities.
At its peak it consisted of 5 lines serving 33 stations between 4 terminals, the parking lots, a hotel, and a number of stations for airport employees.
That's bigger than the transit systems of many cities.
It was actually supposed to be even bigger. DFW originally wanted a system that would also move baggage, mail, and trash in special freight cars. But these systems never worked very well and were soon abandoned.
Over the course of its life, the Airtrans system served 250 million passengers connecting through DFW.
But it wasn't that convenient by modern standards. The trains were slow, only moved in one direction, and 4 of the 5 lines were located outside security.
But it wasn't that convenient by modern standards. The trains were slow, only moved in one direction, and 4 of the 5 lines were located outside security.
In 2005, it was finally shut down and replaced with Skylink, an elevated train wholly inside security that is much faster and can travel in both directions.
Despite being a bit smaller, Skylink is still the largest airport people mover system in operation today.
Despite being a bit smaller, Skylink is still the largest airport people mover system in operation today.
