FirstGroup wins extensions to Hull Trains and Lumo open access rail services
By Iain Gilbert
Date: Tuesday 29 Jul 2025
(Sharecast News) - Public transport provider FirstGroup said on Tuesday that it has been awarded extensions to its Hull Trains and Lumo open access rail services by the Office of Rail and Road.
FirstGroup said it had secured an extension of Lumo's service to and from Glasgow Queen Street, calling at Falkirk High and Edinburgh Haymarket from December 2025, and an additional daily return service on Lumo between Newcastle and London from December 2025.
The FTSE 250-listed firm also announced it will operate one additional Hull Trains service between London and Hull on weekdays and Saturdays from December 2025.
FirstGroup said the additional services will add another 118.00m seat miles to its existing open access capacity of 967.00m. Combined with its new Stirling and Carmarthen services, expected to launch in mid 2026 and December 2027, respectively, FirstGroup highlighted that it will "more than double" its existing open access capacity.
FirstGroup added that it was "disappointed" that the ORR did not approve its application for a new Hull Trains service between London and Sheffield but said it will continue to explore further potential opportunities for the route.
Chief executive Graham Sutherland said: "Open access rail operators bring significant private investment to both the rail sector and UK manufacturing, connect under-served communities and deliver substantial economic and environmental benefits.
"We are pleased to have been awarded the extensions to our successful open access rail operations. This is an important step in our efforts to materially grow our open access business and will allow us to build on the substantial benefits we are making to the communities we serve, and to attract even more passengers to rail."
As of 1000 BST, Firstgroup shares were up 0.72% at 222.80p.
Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com
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