First Rail, Hull Trains and Lumo’s parent company, has today published a report setting out the bright future for open access train operators in the UK and showing how these innovative companies are essential for a better railway.
The report looks at the successful history of open access over the past 25 years, demonstrating how Hull Trains, Lumo and other similar operators have delivered economic growth, jobs and higher passenger numbers across the network.
And it details dozens of places which could be served by more open access services in the coming years. These include upcoming, confirmed new routes between London and South Wales to Carmarthen and to Stirling in Scotland, as well as destinations where applications have yet to be approved by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) – including routes between London and Torbay, to Rochdale via Manchester Victoria, and to Sheffield via Worksop.
Data clearly sets out that the presence of open access rail services, alongside nationally-contracted operators, grows passenger numbers overall. For example, Lumo has helped generate 6.2m additional journeys on the East Coast Mainline since it launched in 2021, even though just 3.9m of them were carried on Lumo trains. An example of this is the early morning service to Newcastle, allowing people to reach their destination by 8.45am.
The report also looks to Europe and the success of open access operations in more than ten European countries. For example, Italo operates high speed services in Italy parallel to public sector operators between major cities.
First Rail’s report sets out four recommendations for how the rail industry and government can work in partnership to grow both open access and the wider railway together. The leading recommendation is to ensure there continues to be an independent regulator which supports the access, economics and performance of the railway. It also calls for open access bids to be accelerated to meet market demand, deliver environmental benefits and unlock investment.
Steve Montgomery, Managing Director First Rail, said: “Open access has a strong and successful history over the past 25 years, delivering millions of reliable and affordable passenger journeys, offering choice and competition, investing in new rolling stock and supporting the running costs of the rail network.
“Data demonstrates open access grows the railway overall. By offering competitive fares at alternative times and stopping at under-served destinations, open access inspires more people to use trains rather than cars and planes.
“Since Lumo launched in 2021, an increase of more than six million more passenger journeys has taken place on the East Coast Mainline than when it was operated by LNER alone.
“As the Government delivers its rail policy over the coming years, I am proud First Rail is making the case for open access, investment and innovation on the British rail network.”
Today’s publication comes weeks after Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander visited the Hitachi Rail factory in Newton Aycliffe to mark an agreement for a c.£500m investment in new trains for Lumo and Hull Trains, helping to secure the skills base and jobs in the local area.
If approval is gained for further open access routes, including to destinations such as Rochdale, Sheffield and Torbay, by November 2025, then up to a further £460m could be unlocked in more new Hitachi trains from the Newton Aycliffe factory.
