Lumo Submits Application for New Cardiff to York Service

FirstGroup plc has announced plans to expand services through its open access operator Lumo, with applications for a new route between Cardiff and York now in the hands of the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

The operator has stated that it intends to run six return services per day on the Cardiff to York route.

Lumo has also submitted a revised application to run additional services between Rochdale and London Euston via Manchester Victoria starting from December 2028, as well as a request for a track access agreement for its Stirling to London Euston service to operate beyond 2030.

Additionally, Lumo has submitted an application to purchase 300 million GBP worth of new rolling stock, with the new Cardiff to York route set to utilise a set of refurbished Class 222s if successfully approved.

Lumo also intends to exercise an option for new trains from Hitachi: five battery electric units are required for its extended Stirling route and three battery electric units are required for its additional Rochdale services

If successful, Lumo’s Rochdale return services would begin to call at Manchester Victoria, Eccles, Newton-le-Willows and Warrington Bank Quay three times on weekdays and Saturdays, with four return trains on Sundays.

Stirling return trains, which are expected to begin in 2027, would serve Larbert, Greenfaulds and Whifflet, with four return services across weekdays and Saturdays and three on Sundays.