FirstGroup plc, the owner of Lumo, has announced bold new plans to expand its open access rail services, a move designed to improve national connectivity, deliver sustainable travel options, and support regional growth.
The proposals, submitted to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), outline three major route developments and a £300 million investment in new trains, extending Lumo’s low-cost, high-efficiency model to new parts of the UK.
The planned expansion includes:
- A new Rochdale–London Euston service via Manchester Victoria, restoring a direct link last seen in 2000.
- An extension of the existing Stirling–London service, securing long-term access beyond 2030.
- A new Cardiff–York route via Birmingham, Derby and Sheffield, linking all four of Britain’s main rail corridors for the first time.
Each of these new or extended services would operate without government subsidy, while contributing significantly to infrastructure investment. According to FirstGroup, Lumo currently contributes more per train mile to network funding than any other long-distance operator, a model it says demonstrates that open access can be both commercially viable and beneficial to the taxpayer.
Investment in British manufacturing
If approved, the projects would unlock further investment in UK-built Hitachi trains, manufactured at Newton Aycliffe in County Durham. The plans include:
- Five battery-electric trains for the Stirling route.
- Three battery-electric trains for Rochdale.
- Refurbished Class 222s for the Cardiff–York route.
This represents an additional £300 million injection into UK rail manufacturing, supporting long-term skilled employment and progress towards a net-zero rail network.
Connecting more communities
The new Rochdale–London service would call at Manchester Victoria, Eccles, Newton-le-Willows and Warrington Bank Quay, bringing rail connectivity to 1.6 million people in the North West. The route supports regeneration zones such as Atom Valley and the Liverpool City Region Freeport, while helping shift travellers from cars to cleaner rail transport.
In Scotland, the Stirling–London extension would strengthen access to the capital for up to three million people living within an hour’s drive of Stirling, connecting regional hubs such as Larbert, Greenfaulds and Whifflet.
Meanwhile, the proposed Cardiff–York route will link the Great Western Main Line and East Coast Main Line, creating a vital east–west spine through the Midlands and Yorkshire. It would connect cities with a combined population of over 2.5 million people, aligning with major investments including the Cardiff Capital Regional Investment Zone, the West Midlands Investment Zone, and new urban development projects in Derby, Sheffield and York.
Economic and environmental benefits
FirstGroup says the proposals will promote competition, create skilled jobs, and stimulate regional economies, while advancing the shift to sustainable transport.
Graham Sutherland, Chief Executive Officer of FirstGroup, said:
“Our new open access services will bring the benefits of choice, affordability, and growth to even more communities, at no cost to the taxpayer.
“By investing in UK-built electric trains and connecting under-served routes, we can unlock private investment, create jobs, and encourage more people to choose rail over road or air. This is how open access helps power a greener, fairer transport system.”
The ORR will now consult on the applications and engage with Network Rail before making a final decision on approval and track access.
