FirstGroup has submitted three new open access applications to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), targeting new long-distance Lumo connections across England, Scotland and Wales through its Lumo brand.
The Rochdale–London proposal marks the first direct service on the corridor since 2000. The application includes weekday and weekend return services calling at Manchester Victoria, Eccles, Newton-le-Willows and Warrington Bank Quay. FirstGroup says the revised application addresses previous ORR concerns over network capacity, citing new modelling and planned use of enhanced West Coast Main Line power infrastructure.
The Cardiff–York route would introduce six daily return services linking the Great Western and East Coast Main Lines via Birmingham, Derby and Sheffield. This corridor currently sees minimal direct service. Refurbished Class 222 rolling stock is planned for the operation.
For Scotland, FirstGroup is seeking to extend its existing Stirling–London open access rights beyond May 2030. The route is served by battery electric trains calling at Larbert, Greenfaulds and Whifflet, with the operator targeting modal shift from road and expanded regional connectivity.
The company has linked its plans to a potential investment of around GBP 300 million (approx. EUR 345 million) in new Hitachi battery-electric trains for the Stirling and Rochdale services, to be manufactured in County Durham.
All applications are subject to ORR approval and further consultation with Network Rail.
