British rail operator Lumo has launched its new West Coast Main Line service, providing a direct rail connection between Stirling and London Euston.
With fares starting from just £29.90, the new route aims to offer an affordable and sustainable alternative to road and air travel between Scotland and the UK capital.
Ahead of the official launch, the company operated a special preview train on 22 May for community partners, apprentices and guests from along the route. Participants had the opportunity to experience the new service and explore the refurbished trains in a celebratory atmosphere featuring traditional Scottish music and entertainment upon arrival in London.
The new route will serve London Euston, Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Whifflet, Greenfaulds, Larbert and Stirling. Lumo says it will offer competitive fares, with tickets starting at £23.90 between London and Preston and £14.90 between Preston and Stirling.
New rail link delivers mobility and economic benefits
“Lumo’s new Stirling-to-London route is a very welcome addition to cross-border services, providing wider economic and connectivity benefits for Scotland. The new services will not only boost tourism and hospitality in Stirling and the Forth Valley but will also improve connectivity by giving customers in Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert direct access to West Coast Main Line services and London,” said Graeme Cook, Rail Director at Transport Scotland.
The operator expects the launch of the new route to create around 100 jobs, following the opening of a new operational base in Preston in March. The new roles include train drivers, instructors and customer experience ambassadors.
The trains operating on the route consist of six coaches and feature refurbished interiors while retaining Lumo’s single-class concept, which has already proved successful on the East Coast Main Line, where the operator connects Glasgow, Falkirk and Edinburgh with North East England and London.
The launch of the Stirling–London service marks a further step in Lumo’s strategy to expand affordable and sustainable rail travel, at a time when rail is increasingly being seen as an attractive alternative to medium- and long-distance journeys across the UK.
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