FirstGroup (LSE:FGP) PLC is hoping to attract air passengers with the launch of a new affordable electric rail service between London and Edinburgh.
The train operator said the Lumo 100% electric rail service will offer fares from £14.90 in a bid to encourage greener and more affordable travel between the two cities.
Lumo will provide low-carbon, affordable long-distance travel for over 1 million passengers a year, starting on 25 October, the company said. At present, over 74,500 passengers currently fly between Edinburgh and London each month.
Some 60% of all single fares will be available at £30 or less. The frequency of the service will increase gradually to ten services a day by early 2022.
Helen Wylde, managing director of Lumo, said: “Travelling in the UK should not cost a fortune and it certainly shouldn’t be the planet that pays. Whatever your preferred mode of transport, we are likely to be more affordable and kinder to the planet.”
The trains will run on the East Coast Main Line and call at Newcastle, Morpeth and Stevenage, offering travellers alternatives to Newcastle and Luton airports.
FirstGroup (LSE:FGP) said it has invested £15mln in digital and IT infrastructure and £100mln in the manufacture and maintenance of five new Hitachi AT300 intercity electric trains.
Lumo intends to publish its carbon emissions data on a regular basis to enable passengers to calculate the carbon impact of their rail journey and compare it with other ways to travel.
FirstGroup (LSE:FGP) also said that over 50% of the on-board catering menu is plant-based. In addition, staff uniforms are responsibly sourced and can be entirely recycled and paper waste has been reduced by being a digital-first business.