FirstGroup has unveiled ambitious plans to expand its open access rail operations through its successful Lumo brand, aiming to boost connectivity, productivity, and passenger choice across the UK.
The proposals include three new and extended open access services, replicating the success of Lumo’s low-cost Edinburgh–London route and reinforcing FirstGroup’s position as a key private investor in the UK rail sector.
Operating without government subsidy, Lumo contributes more per train mile to infrastructure investment than any other long-distance operator, supporting growth across the rail network while delivering value to taxpayers and communities.
Three open access applications submitted to ORR
FirstGroup has submitted the first phase of three separate track access applications to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR):
- A revised proposal for new services between Rochdale and London Euston via Manchester Victoria, starting in December 2028.
- An extension of Lumo’s Stirling–London service beyond 2030.
- A new Cardiff–York route via Birmingham, Derby, and Sheffield, planned from December 2028.
The expansion would be supported by a GBP 300 million investment in new and refurbished rolling stock, including new Hitachi battery-electric trains built in the UK.
Supporting British rail manufacturing
If approved, FirstGroup plans to exercise its option to order additional Hitachi trains from the manufacturer’s Newton Aycliffe plant in County Durham. The investment would fund five battery-electric units for the Stirling route and three for Rochdale, supporting long-term UK manufacturing and supply chain jobs.
For the Cardiff–York route, FirstGroup intends to deploy refurbished Class 222 trains, expanding Lumo’s fleet while maintaining cost efficiency and sustainability.
Restoring Rochdale–London connectivity
The proposed Rochdale–London Euston service would mark the first direct link between the two cities since 2000, operating via Manchester Victoria, Eccles, Newton-le-Willows, and Warrington Bank Quay.
The route would run three return services on weekdays and Sundays and four on Saturdays, connecting 1.6 million people in the North West with London through a competitively priced, fully open access service.
Intermediate stops will provide stronger links for regeneration areas such as Atom Valley, Salford’s MediaCity, and the Liverpool City Region Freeport, encouraging modal shift from road to rail and delivering local economic benefits.
Following the ORR’s earlier concerns about network capacity, FirstGroup says the revised application is supported by detailed modelling demonstrating available capacity and makes use of the government’s recent investment in West Coast Main Line power supply upgrades.
Extending the Stirling–London service
FirstGroup is seeking to extend its existing Stirling–London service beyond May 2030, reinforcing the link between central Scotland and London. Stirling’s catchment includes around three million people within an hour’s drive, and the proposed extension would maintain four weekday and Saturday return services and three on Sundays.
Intermediate stops at Larbert, Greenfaulds, and Whifflet would continue to benefit from direct connections to the capital, supporting regional economic development and low-carbon travel.
New Cardiff–York corridor to link four main lines
The proposed Cardiff–York route would establish a cross-country service joining up all four of Britain’s mainlines — from the Great Western Main Line to the East Coast Main Line — via Birmingham, Derby, and Sheffield.
The application proposes six weekday return services, a major increase from the current single weekly train. By applying Lumo’s low-cost model to this corridor, FirstGroup aims to open up new markets and strengthen connections between key regional economies.
Cities along the route — Cardiff, Birmingham, Derby, Sheffield, and York — have a combined population of over 2.5 million people. The service would support access to jobs, education, and investment opportunities linked to major regional projects, including:
- The Cardiff Capital Regional Investment Zone and Cardiff Central station’s £140 million redevelopment;
- The West Midlands Investment Zone, expected to generate £5.5 billion in growth and 30,000 new jobs;
- Regeneration initiatives in Derby, Sheffield, and York.
Consultation process and next steps
The Office of Rail and Road will now begin a public consultation and hold discussions with Network Rail to assess capacity, infrastructure requirements, and the potential benefits of the proposed services.
If approved, the new services would mark a significant expansion of open access operations in Britain, building on Lumo’s proven record of reliability, affordability, and strong customer satisfaction since its launch in 2021.
“Bringing open access benefits to more communities”
Graham Sutherland, Chief Executive Officer of FirstGroup, said:
“We have extensive experience of running open access rail operations in the UK, and passengers consistently rate our services highly. Our new services will allow us to bring the substantial benefits of open access to even more communities, at no additional cost to the taxpayer. Lumo also pays more towards infrastructure investment than other long-distance operators, delivering growth on the railway and connectivity to local communities, so the whole system gains.
“Our open access services connect previously under-served communities and unlock private investment, creating jobs and shifting travel towards more sustainable options. We look forward to working closely with stakeholders as we develop our applications.”
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