Grand Union Trains has had its application for a new train service between London, Cardiff and Carmarthen approved by The Office of Rail and Road.
The successful application means that a significant increase in rail services will be seen between London and South Wales.
An extra five daily return services will benefit passengers travelling between London Paddington, Bristol Parkway, Severn Tunnel Junction, Newport, Cardiff, Gowerton, Llanelli and Carmarthen.
The introduction of the new train service is expected by the end of 2024. Grand Union announced in its plans that the service will use bi-mode trains as well as new parkway station at Felindre, north of Swansea.
The initial application to the ORR in June 2022 was disputed by Network Rail due capacity on the network, but after careful analysis, the ORR has directed Network Rail to enter into a contract with Grand Union.
Grand Union will be an Open Access operator, and whilst it has committed to significant investment in new trains, it will not get subsidies from public funds, like Great Western Railway.
Stephanie Tobyn, Director of Strategy, Policy and Reform at ORR said: “This decision supports more choice for passengers, new direct journey opportunities, more price competition, and new comfortable trains.
“The added competition should also make a significant contribution to innovation in terms of the routes served, ticketing practices and service quality improvements, by both Grand Union and through the response of existing operators.”
Responses
The proposed new Swansea Parkway (or Felindre) Station is on the Swansea District line so (unfortunately for me) won’t go through my local Gowerton Station. but great news it’s been passed at the second attempt.
I hope Grand Union will choose more comfortable seats for their class 800s than the unforgiving ironing boards in the GWR trains.
Spanish state operator Renfe is part of the consortium delivering this. So yet another example of Britain’s dysfunctional railway shovelling money from British customers into the pockets of foreign taxpayers.
Now that’s great news. What about the rolling stocks it would use or will new trains to be built similar to GWR Class 800 & Class 802 IETs that were built by Hitachi including some built at Newton Aycliffe in County Durham.