FirstGroup’s announcement of potential new train services between London and Greater Manchester signifies a significant shift in transportation modes, aiming to encourage more people to choose rail over road travel.
FirstGroup’s Plan:
- Transport company FirstGroup plans to run six return trains daily between London Euston and Rochdale via Manchester Victoria.
- Last direct London link from Rochdale via Manchester city centre station was in 2000.
Service Details:
- Services will stop at Eccles, Newton-le-Willows, and Warrington Bank Quay.
- Eccles station provides connectivity for Salford’s MediaCity area.
- New UK-built trains powered by electricity and batteries will be used.
Impact on Travel and Tourism:
- Estimated to provide 1.6 million people in the North West with a convenient and competitively priced direct rail service to London, stimulating a shift from coach and car travel to rail.
- Aims to drive modal shift from road to rail, reducing carbon footprint and congestion.
FirstGroup’s Strategy:
- Services to be operated under the Lumo brand, which currently runs between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh.
- Lumo operates on an open access basis, without taxpayer-funded subsidies, taking on all revenue risk.
- FirstGroup aims to replicate the success of Lumo on the London-Rochdale route, focusing on growth and market benefits.
Government Support:
- The Government plans measures to encourage further schemes, including providing more certainty over application assessments and ensuring all unused track access slots are available.
- Rail minister Huw Merriman sees open access services as providing more choice to customers and increasing passenger numbers.
FirstGroup’s proposed new train services between London and Greater Manchester under the Lumo brand could revolutionize travel and tourism, promoting sustainable, convenient, and efficient rail travel over road options.
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