AERBT tries the sponsor-seeking Heathrow pod

With BAA Heathrow now publicly looking for a sponsor AERBT thought that it might be a good idea to test the new Heathrow T5 business parking pods. 

We mentioned them last week and now having tried the system find it even easier to use than the short-term parking sitting between the terminal and Sofitel.  No going up the ramp or getting lost around the hotel.  It’s cheaper too.  Each Dr Who type pod/module parks in its own little platform/station and a voice tells you what to do in a choice of several languages.  It is a very comfortable electrically driven ride in each direction.  Tall people should watch their head and there is an escape route if something goes wrong.  Plenty of room for cases and you can watch the planes land and take off during your five-minute journey.  No queuing either.  There are pods galore and plenty of space for the sponsor's brand or message.

As well as reducing the time it takes business passengers to move between Heathrow's Terminal 5 and car parks by 60%, the eco friendly pods use 70% less energy than a car.  They are expected to eliminate 50,000 bus journeys on the roads around Heathrow each year. 

The seven-figure, three-year sponsorship package will start in January 2012 and includes sponsorship of the exteriors of the pod stations, directional signage within the car parks and terminal as well as exterior and interior spaces in the pods.  The sponsor will also be able to take advantage of the digital video screens within the vehicles which will play during the journey to deliver an immersive advertising experience.

It’s a real ‘toy train’ experience.  And then into the equally futuristic T5! www.baa.com

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