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Gatwick Airport's North and South terminals are connected by a 0.75 miles (1.21 km) elevated two-way automated people mover track. The transit system is normally operated by two automatic, three-car driverless train vehicles. Although it is referred to as a monorail ,the transit system runs on a dual concrete track with rubber tyres and is not technically a monorail.
The original Gatwick transit system opened in 1983 when the circular satellite pier was built, connecting the pier to the main terminal building, and was the UK's first automated people mover system. A second transit track was constructed in 1987 to link to the new North terminal.The original satellite transit line was later replaced with a walkway and travelator link, but the inter-terminal transit remains in operation today.
The original Adtranz C-100 people mover cars remained in continuous operation until 2009, in which time they travelled a total of 2.5 million miles. In September 2009 the vehicles were withdrawn from service to allow the transit system to be upgraded. Meanwhile, the two terminals are connected by a temporary free bus service. A new operating system and transit cars consisting of six Bombardier CX-100 vehicles are being installed and the guideway and transit stations are being refurbished at a cost of £ 45 million and is due to be completed in August 2010.
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