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A faster train route connecting London and Sheffield may potentially debut in the latter half of 2025.
FirstGroup, a transportation company, revealed its intention to run two round-trip journeys every day from London King’s Cross to a city in South Yorkshire, passing through Retford, Worksop, and Woodhouse. This is a part of their Hull Trains division.
This would result in competition for East Midlands Railway, which currently offers direct trains from London St Pancras to Sheffield with a travel time of approximately two hours.
FirstGroup stated its goal to offer a quicker connection between the capital and Sheffield compared to current transportation options. The company noted that a majority of trips between the two cities are currently taken by car, with an additional 9% using coaches.
The new railway option, offered at a competitive price, is expected to encourage a change in preferred mode of transportation from road to rail.
The suggestion will also provide the town of Worksop in Nottinghamshire with its first consistent train route to London in many years.
The initial portion of the application to oversee the service has been submitted by FirstGroup to the Office of Rail and Road regulatory body.
A meeting will be initiated soon.
The company would operate on an unrestricted basis, without any financial assistance from taxpayers and assuming all financial risk.
The majority of British train operators receive a management fee, as the UK and devolved governments are responsible for covering costs and generating revenue.
Hull Trains currently runs a maximum of seven trains per day between London King’s Cross and Hull/Beverley.
In October 2021, FirstGroup launched Lumo, a new open access service that operates between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh.
The CEO of the company, Graham Sutherland, stated that they aim to utilize their vast knowledge in operating open access services and replicate the achievements of Hull Trains and Lumo by launching a new route connecting London and Sheffield.
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“We have witnessed the potential for growth and advancement through open access, and the beneficial impact it can have on the larger market, including positive effects on the economy and the environment.”
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“The new service aims to promote a shift from road transportation to rail, providing customers with a more environmentally-friendly travel option between the two cities.”
“We will collaborate closely with stakeholders while developing our application and presenting our proposal for this new service.”
Source: independent.co.uk
