Roberta Aguirre
Houston Airport, also known as George Bush Intercontinental Airport, has two separate inter-terminal people mover systems operating within its premises. The first is an underground train system known as the Subway, which opened in 1969 and was replaced in 1981 with the current WEDway system built by Walt Disney Imagineering. The second is an elevated track known as the Skyway, which operates airside and serves all five airport terminals. Both systems provide transportation for travellers within the airport, with the Subway catering to approximately 240,000 passengers monthly and the Skyway operating with vehicles that can hold up to 80 passengers each.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport Name | George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) |
| Train Name | Subway (formerly the Inter-terminal Train) |
| Location | Underground |
| Operating Hours | 3:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. daily |
| Frequency | Every 3 minutes |
| Ridership | 240,000 passengers/month |
| System | WEDway |
| System Builder | WED Transportation Systems, a division of Walt Disney Imagineering |
| Length | N/A |
| Terminal Coverage | Terminals A, C, D/E, and the Airport Marriott |
What You'll Learn
George Bush Intercontinental Airport has two train systems
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas, has two train systems: the Subway and the Skyway. The Subway, formerly known as the Inter-terminal Train, is the older of the two, having opened in 1969 along with the airport. It was replaced in 1981 with the current WEDway system, built by WED Transportation Systems, a division of what is now known as Walt Disney Imagineering. The Subway operates underground and serves landside traffic, providing transportation between terminals outside of security. It serves approximately 240,000 passengers per month, with a yearly ridership averaging 2.9 million.
The Skyway, formerly known as TerminaLink, is the newer of the two train systems and operates on an elevated track. It runs along the north side of the airport, beyond airport security, and serves all five terminals with four stations at Terminals A, B, C, and the International Terminal D/E. The Skyway operates airside and is one of two people movers currently operating at the airport. The train system uses Innovia APM 100 vehicles, which are powered by a 600-volt third rail. Each vehicle can travel at 30 mph and can hold up to 80 passengers, with a total of 12 vehicles in the system.
The Subway at George Bush Intercontinental Airport is notable as it is the only WEDway people mover built by the Walt Disney Company outside of a Disney property. It uses similar mechanical technology to the PeopleMover attraction in the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland. The Skyway, on the other hand, is similar to the systems found at Denver International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
Both the Subway and the Skyway systems at George Bush Intercontinental Airport provide convenient and efficient transportation for passengers travelling between different terminals. The Subway operates every three minutes from the Subway stations in Terminals A, C, D/E, and the Airport Marriott, and is free of charge. It operates daily from 3:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., with a closure period between 12:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m.
SPCC Rule: Do Airports Need to Comply?
You may want to see also
The Subway is the older train system
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas, has a train system that operates between its terminals. The Subway, formerly known as the Inter-terminal Train, is the older of the two train systems at the airport. It was opened in 1969, the same year as the airport, and was replaced in 1981 with the current WEDway system built by WED Transportation Systems, now known as Walt Disney Imagineering.
The Subway operates underground, serving landside traffic. It is notable for being the only WEDway people mover built by the Walt Disney Company outside of a Disney property. The system uses mechanical technology similar to the PeopleMover in the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland. The Subway serves approximately 240,000 passengers per month, with a yearly ridership of around 2.9 million.
The train departs every three minutes from the Subway stations in Terminals A, C, D/E, and the Airport Marriott. It is a free service, operating daily from 3:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., and is closed between 12:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m. Signs in the airport direct passengers to the Subway stations.
The Subway is one of two people movers at the airport, the other being the Skyway, which operates airside and is elevated. The Skyway, formerly known as TerminaLink, was renamed in 2015 to differentiate it from the Subway, with 'Skyway' referring to its elevated track. The Skyway is 0.7 miles (1.1 km) long and runs along the north side of the airport beyond security, serving all five terminals with four stations.
Rome's Airport: What's in a Name?
You may want to see also
The Skyway is the newer train system
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas, has two separate inter-terminal train systems operating within its premises. The Skyway is the newer train system, which opened in 1981 to replace the older inter-terminal train system, now known as the Subway. The Skyway is an elevated train system, operating airside, and serving all five terminals of the airport. The system is 0.7 miles (1.1 km) long and runs along the north side of the airport beyond airport security. The Skyway has stations at Terminal A, Terminal B, Terminal C, and the International Terminal D/E. The trains on the Skyway are Innovia APM 100 vehicles, which are powered by a 600-volt third rail. There are 12 vehicles in the system, each travelling at a speed of 30 mph (50 km/h) and capable of carrying up to 80 passengers.
The Skyway is one of two people-mover systems currently operating at the airport, the other being the Subway, which operates landside. The Subway is an underground train system serving approximately 240,000 passengers per month, with a yearly ridership of 2.9 million. It is notable for being the only WEDway people-mover built by the Walt Disney Company outside of a Disney property. The Subway uses similar mechanical technology to the PeopleMover attraction in the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland.
The Skyway and Subway were previously known as TerminaLink and the Inter-terminal Train, respectively. However, in 2015, the airport updated its branding, renaming the two train systems to make it easier for travellers to differentiate between the two lines. The new names refer to each APM's location, with the Skyway being elevated and the Subway being underground.
The Skyway and the Subway provide efficient and convenient transportation for passengers travelling through George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The Skyway, in particular, offers a modern and comfortable travel experience with its automated people-mover system, connecting passengers to their desired terminals quickly and smoothly.
Currency Exchange at Beijing Airport: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
The Subway was designed by Walt Disney Imagineering
Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) does have a train system, known as the Subway. The Subway was opened in 1969, along with the airport itself. It is built underground and serves landside traffic. The train is notable for being the only WEDway people mover built by the Walt Disney Company outside of a Disney property.
The trains are completely unpowered, relying on linear induction motors in the track for propulsion. They are equipped with platform screen doors that have a special mechanism for unlocking the train's doors. On-train station announcements and audible warning messages are provided by a trackside audio system through openings in the tops of the vehicle car bodies.
Six trains operate at any single time, with three-minute headways and speeds of up to 15 miles per hour (24 km/h). They stop at eight stations in a circuit, serving every terminal and the Houston Airport Hotel, for a round-trip time of 18 minutes. The Subway serves approximately 240,000 passengers per month, with a yearly ridership of around 2.9 million.
Airports in Iceland: How Many Are There?
You may want to see also
The Skyway operates airside
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston, Texas, has two separate inter-terminal people-mover systems operating within its premises. One of these is the Skyway, which operates airside.
The Skyway, formerly known as TerminaLink, is an automated people-mover system that runs along the north side of the airport, beyond airport security. It is one of the two people-mover systems currently operating at Bush Intercontinental Airport, the other being the Subway, which operates landside. The Skyway is an elevated track, in contrast to the Subway, which runs underground. This distinction is reflected in the new names adopted in 2015, which were chosen to make it easier for travellers to differentiate between the two lines.
The Skyway serves all five terminals of the airport, with four stations located at Terminal A, Terminal B, Terminal C, and the International Terminal D/E, respectively. The system is approximately 0.7 miles (1.1 km) long and uses Innovia APM 100 vehicles, which are powered by a 600-volt third rail. There are 12 vehicles in total in the system, each capable of travelling at 30 mph (50 km/h) and accommodating up to 80 passengers.
The Skyway is a more recent addition to the airport, having been built by WED Transportation Systems, a division of what is now known as Walt Disney Imagineering. It is notable for being the only WEDway people-mover system built outside of a Disney property. The system incorporates much of the mechanical technology used in Disney's PeopleMover attraction in the Magic Kingdom's Tomorrowland.
Rideshare at SDF Airport: Uber and Lyft Availability
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Houston Airport has two train systems operating between terminals.
The two train systems are the Skyway and the Subway.
The Skyway is an elevated track that operates airside, while the Subway is an underground track that serves landside traffic.
The Skyway serves all five terminals at Houston Airport, with four stations at Terminal A, Terminal B, Terminal C, and International Terminal D/E.
The Subway departs every three minutes from the Subway stations in Terminals A, C, D/E, and the Airport Marriott. It operates every day from 3:30 a.m. to 12:30 a.m. and is free of charge.
