London airports get shared-ride shuttle service to downtown hotels

Starting November 1, travelers to London will get a new transportation alternative from Heathrow and Gatwick airports to downtown hotels. Called dot2dot, it’s a shared-ride van service operated by the U.K.’s National Express Group, a leading motorcoach company. The service will use 10- and 12-passenger vans running between Heathrow, Gatwick and hotels in central London, at a price of 22 pounds, or about $45 per person from Heathrow or $49 from Gatwick – vs. taxi fares that can run upwards of $100. The company said it will use a fleet of 64 vans and promises that they won’t make more than four stops on any trip. Dot2dot will replace a smaller operation called Hotelink, which National Express purchased earlier this year. Customers can book the service through hotel concierges, travel agents, customer service desks at each airport, or online at www.dot2.com or www.goairportshuttle.com.