FirstGroup PLC (LSE:FGP) has applied to start a second service for its low-cost rail arm Lumo, this time from London to Manchester.
Lumo already runs a service from London’s King Cross to Edinburgh via Newcastle and now wants to operate a similar operation between Euston and Rochdale via Manchester Victoria.
Lumo’s average advance London to Edinburgh fare is £40, with daily tickets a maximum of £88, making it cheaper than most air tickets between the capitals.
FirstGroup said 1.6 million people in the North West would benefit from a more direct train service.
Lumo, which started operations on the East Coast route in October 2021, has carried more than 2.5m passengers.
Discussions about extending the route from Edinburgh to Glasgow from next are underway, FirstGroup added.
Chief executive Graham Sutherland said: “We have extensive experience of running open access rail operations and we want to bring our successful Lumo service to this new route that connects Rochdale and London.
“We have seen the level of growth and opportunity that is possible with open access, as well as the positive effect it has on the wider market, including economic and environmental benefits.
“In addition, the new service will help to drive modal shift from road to rail between the North West and London. We will be working closely with stakeholders as we build our application and our case for this new service.”
Open access services are those without any subsidies from the government.