First Group has announced that it is looking to extend its Lumo services to Glasgow.
Discussions have started between FirstGroup, Transport Scotland and Network Rail with the hope that some of the trains could extend to Glasgow.
FirstGroup has identified opportunities to extend some services to Glasgow in the 2025 timetables and work will now commence to agree final timings ahead of an application to the Office of Rail and Road.
Lumo’s new offering will improve links between Newcastle and Glasgow, giving passengers a service without having to change trains.
It is hoped that the all-electric service could start from summer 2025, subject to approval.
RailAdvent were invited to take a look at the launch of the Lumo trains back in 2021, and you can read about the Lumo trains by clicking here
We are very pleased to be looking at options to grow our popular Lumo train service by extending the service from Edinburgh to Glasgow from next year. We have seen the level of growth and opportunity that is possible with new open access connections, including the significant environmental benefits of passengers switching to rail. We will be working closely with stakeholders as we refine this opportunity and our case for this new offering.
FirstGroup plc Chief Executive Officer Graham Sutherland
Responses
What’s needed is not more operators on the same routes but more different routes so that rail travel as a whole becomes more attractive to more people. Glasgow ready has services to London via both major routes. What about the Nottingham – Sheffield – Leeds corridor to Glasgow via Carlisle? Very large centres of population with very poor and circuitous connectivity.