Firstgroup looks to expand some Lumo services through to Glasgow
F i rst G ro u p announced plans to increase its Hull Trains open access operation to serve Sheffield ( Railways Illustrated issue 253), the company is now looking at expanding some of its Lumo open access services through to Glasgow. Based in Newcastle, Lumo started operating on the East Coast Main Line between London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley in October 2021, with services operated by a small fleet of five Hitachi Class 803 five-coach electric multiple units. Lumo also calls at Stevenage (not all services), Newcastle and Morpeth between the two capital cities. Firstgroup is currently in discussions with Transport Scotland and Network Rail to extend some Lumo services from Edinburgh to and from Glasgow. The organisations are working on final route options and timings before making a formal application to the Office of Rail and Road for access rights. It is expected that the services, which could be launched from next summer, will not require any additional trains being added to the current Lumo fleet. Lumo said that the plan will improve links for passengers travelling between Newcastle and Glasgow, providing a choice of services without the need to change trains. FirstGroup said that a significant number of Lumo’s current passengers go on to travel through to Glasgow via other connections, and that Lumo aims to offer these passengers a direct through service to the Scottish city. Firstgroup plc chief executive officer Graham Sutherland said: “We have seen the level of growth and opportunity that is possible with new open access connections, including the significant environmental benefits of passengers switching to rail. We will be working closely with stakeholders as we refine this opportunity and our case for this new offering.” Firstgroup said that Lumo carried more than two million passengers in the first two years following its launch in 2021, and that it has played a significant part in encouraging modal shift from air to rail, bringing substantial environmental benefits and a positive impact to the economy.
There are currently three open access operators running services on the ECML: Lumo and Hull Trains are operated by Firstgroup, while Arriva-backed Grand Central also operates open access services along the East Coast route.