Latest news with #MartijnGilbert
Daily Mirror
12-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Impressive 425-miles UK train line with 11 stops branded 'Eurostar of Scotland'
Brits will soon be able to hop on board and travel more than 400 miles from London to the historic city of Stirling, thanks to a new railway expansion slated to launch in 2026 A huge railway expansion touted as the 'Eurostar of Scotland' is slated to launch next year - spanning a whopping 425 miles from London. Rail operator Lumo recently announced it had successfully secured five Class 222 six-car trains to link London Euston directly to Stirling - a historic city in central Scotland. The new route, which aims to be up and running as early as Spring 2026, will also stop at Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Whifflet (serving Coatbridge), Greenfaulds (serving Cumbernauld) and Larbert. Lumo says the move will 'enhance travel choice and connectivity' for passengers along the central belt of Scotland, and that its new route will run five times a day each way. This particular route is already shared by Avanti West Coast, LNER and TransPennine Express - but Lumo will reportedly be the first provider not subsidised by the government. Zoe Adjey, senior lecturer at the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of East London, told the Metro that this will likely make tickets must 'cheaper'. "The service enhancement will significantly improve the passenger experience, especially compared to air travel," she added. "Air travel requires an initial transit to one of London's airports, followed by a two-hour wait for the flight, then a two-hour flight time. In contrast, rail travel involves just a quick journey to Euston station, followed by a five-hour train journey with WiFi, refreshments, and enhanced onboard services." At the time of writing, direct trains from London to Stirling cost as much as £206.80 for an 'Anytime Single' ticket. However, they can be bought for as little as £81.80 if you're flexible with dates. Purchasing a railcard can also help lower the cost of train fares. However, these tend to only offer discounts on Off-Peak times, weekends, and bank holidays - which doesn't help out commuters reliant on the network. In an online statement, Martijn Gilbert of Lumo said: "Today's announcement underscores Lumo's commitment to growing Scotland's rail network, providing passengers with more affordable, fast, and convenient travel options. Our new service between Stirling and London has the potential to unlock significant economic opportunities for communities along the route, and we're proud to deliver this direct rail connectivity to towns previously overlooked by traditional rail services." Sue Webber MSP, a Conservative Transport spokesperson, also hailed the announcement - arguing it will bring a staggering £740m in economic benefits by 2032. "Crucially, this is being delivered not by government mandate, but through private sector innovation and open access investment," she added. "That's why I believe this model is one we should be championing. Lumo is not replacing existing services – it's adding capacity, increasing choice, and growing the market for everyone." *Prices based on LNER listings for Tuesday, July 1.
The Independent
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Boss of company that owns strike-hit Hull Trains to step down
The managing director of the company that owns strike-hit Hull Trains is to step down, it was revealed tonight. Martijn Gilbert will step away from his position with immediate effect. Members of Aslef have staged a series of strikes for months over the sacking of a colleague for a safety issue. Steve Montgomery, First Rail managing director, said: 'After nearly three years as the managing director of our open access rail businesses, Tram Operations Limited and London Cableway, Martijn Gilbert has decided to pursue another leadership opportunity and will step away from his position with immediate effect. 'Martijn has led the team successfully in this period, achieving significant results and we wish Martijn well for the future. 'Stuart Jones, commercial director open access, will take on the remit of managing director of our open access businesses. 'Stuart has been instrumental in driving our open access strategy forward and will now focus on achieving that growth whilst driving performance excellence. 'Fran Barrett, business assurance director First Rail, will additionally take on the leadership of Tram Operations Limited and London Cableway on an interim basis.' Aslef has been critical of Mr Gilbert's role in the dispute. The union says the driver was unfairly sacked for raising a safety issue, which the company denies.
The Sun
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Gamechanger new budget train line to launch from London next year
A NEW direct train service between a central Scottish city and London is due to launch as early as spring 2026. Lumo, which is part of FirstGroup, will run four return services a day to Stirling in Scotland, with the exception of Sundays, where there will be three. 3 3 The route will provide first-ever direct services to London for Whifflet, Greenfaulds, and Larbert. Currently, the Lumo brand runs on the East Coast Main Line between London King's Cross and Edinburgh. The new West Coast services were due to start this year, however FirstGroup said they are "currently expected to commence mid-2026 following the delivery of the trains and staff training". Lumo's new route will link London Euston directly to Stirling, also calling at Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Whifflet (serving Coatbridge), Greenfaulds (serving Cumbernauld) and Larbert. The train company is currently awaiting approval from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to further extend services to Glasgow. Martijn Gilbert, managing director of Lumo, said: "Our new service between Stirling and London has the potential to unlock significant economic opportunities for communities along the route, and we're proud to deliver this direct rail connectivity to towns previously overlooked by traditional rail services. "We are focused on further expanding our services in Scotland to ensure even greater connectivity across the country and the whole UK." Sue Webber MSP, Conservative transport spokesperson, said: "Lumo is actively investing in our capital city – not only bringing in tourists but also supporting our vibrant hospitality and events sector. "And this isn't just talk: we're looking at £740 million in economic benefits from Lumo by 2032." According to the BBC, there are currently only two daily trains to London that stop at Stirling - the Highland Chieftain from Inverness and the Caledonian Sleeper. The new service, once launched, will also compete with Avanti West Coast and publicly-owned ScotRail, LNER and TransPennine Express. Last year, Lumo also announced plans for a cheap train route from London to the North West. A proposed new train service would offer journeys between London and Rochdale, with stops at Manchester. If plans are approved, it would be the first time that a direct train has connected Rochdale to London for more than 25 years. What are Lumo trains like? LUMO trains are fully-electric trains which were introduced back in 2021. At the time of launch, passengers could travel from London to Edinburgh for just £19.90. The company claimed they provided "fares that are fair". The trains do not have a first class option, but they do have USB sockets, tray tables and comfortable seating. Passengers can also personalise their lighting via a button on the back of the seat in front of them. An application has been submitted to the Office of Rail and Road and if approved, the new services could take to the rails in 2027. Also announced last year, Lumo's train service joining Edinburgh and London is expected to be quicker than taking a flight. Also, the UK's largest train station once had direct routes to Europe and now has a huge new Wetherspoons. Plus, the first ever direct trains from London to Switzerland move even closer to launching.
Scottish Sun
04-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Gamechanger new budget train line to launch from London next year
Plus, the first ever direct trains from London to Switzerland move even closer to launching TRACK ON Gamechanger new budget train line to launch from London next year A NEW direct train service between a central Scottish city and London is due to launch as early as spring 2026. Lumo, which is part of FirstGroup, will run four return services a day to Stirling in Scotland, with the exception of Sundays, where there will be three. Advertisement 3 Lumo plans to launch a train service from Stirling to London Credit: Alamy 3 Lumo trains are all-electric Credit: Alamy The route will provide first-ever direct services to London for Whifflet, Greenfaulds, and Larbert. Currently, the Lumo brand runs on the East Coast Main Line between London King's Cross and Edinburgh. The new West Coast services were due to start this year, however FirstGroup said they are "currently expected to commence mid-2026 following the delivery of the trains and staff training". Lumo's new route will link London Euston directly to Stirling, also calling at Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Whifflet (serving Coatbridge), Greenfaulds (serving Cumbernauld) and Larbert. Advertisement The train company is currently awaiting approval from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to further extend services to Glasgow. Martijn Gilbert, managing director of Lumo, said: "Our new service between Stirling and London has the potential to unlock significant economic opportunities for communities along the route, and we're proud to deliver this direct rail connectivity to towns previously overlooked by traditional rail services. "We are focused on further expanding our services in Scotland to ensure even greater connectivity across the country and the whole UK." Sue Webber MSP, Conservative transport spokesperson, said: "Lumo is actively investing in our capital city – not only bringing in tourists but also supporting our vibrant hospitality and events sector. Advertisement "And this isn't just talk: we're looking at £740 million in economic benefits from Lumo by 2032." According to the BBC, there are currently only two daily trains to London that stop at Stirling - the Highland Chieftain from Inverness and the Caledonian Sleeper. Iconic steam train Tornado delights crowds as it powers through Cornwall on rail tour The new service, once launched, will also compete with Avanti West Coast and publicly-owned ScotRail, LNER and TransPennine Express. Last year, Lumo also announced plans for a cheap train route from London to the North West. Advertisement A proposed new train service would offer journeys between London and Rochdale, with stops at Manchester. If plans are approved, it would be the first time that a direct train has connected Rochdale to London for more than 25 years. What are Lumo trains like? LUMO trains are fully-electric trains which were introduced back in 2021. At the time of launch, passengers could travel from London to Edinburgh for just £19.90. The company claimed they provided "fares that are fair". The trains do not have a first class option, but they do have USB sockets, tray tables and comfortable seating. Passengers can also personalise their lighting via a button on the back of the seat in front of them. An application has been submitted to the Office of Rail and Road and if approved, the new services could take to the rails in 2027. Also announced last year, Lumo's train service joining Edinburgh and London is expected to be quicker than taking a flight. Advertisement Also, the UK's largest train station once had direct routes to Europe and now has a huge new Wetherspoons. Plus, the first ever direct trains from London to Switzerland move even closer to launching.
The Irish Sun
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Gamechanger new budget train line to launch from London next year
A NEW direct train service between a central Scottish city and London is due to launch as early as spring 2026. Lumo, which is part of FirstGroup, will run four return services a day to Stirling in Scotland, with the exception of Sundays, where there will be three. Advertisement 3 Lumo plans to launch a train service from Stirling to London Credit: Alamy 3 Lumo trains are all-electric Credit: Alamy The route will provide first-ever direct services to London for Whifflet, Greenfaulds, and Larbert. Currently, the Lumo brand runs on the East Coast Main Line between London King's Cross and Edinburgh. The new West Coast services were due to start this year, however FirstGroup said they are "currently expected to commence mid-2026 following the delivery of the trains and staff training". Lumo's new route will link London Euston directly to Stirling, also calling at Milton Keynes, Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell , Whifflet (serving Coatbridge), Greenfaulds (serving Cumbernauld) and Larbert. Advertisement Read more on train journeys The train company is currently awaiting approval from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to further extend services to Glasgow. Martijn Gilbert, managing director of Lumo, said: "Our new service between Stirling and London has the potential to unlock significant economic opportunities for communities along the route, and we're proud to deliver this direct rail connectivity to towns previously overlooked by traditional rail services. "We are focused on further expanding our services in Scotland to ensure even greater connectivity across the country and the whole UK." Sue Webber MSP, Conservative transport spokesperson, said: "Lumo is actively investing in our capital city – not only bringing in tourists but also supporting our vibrant hospitality and events sector. Advertisement Most read in News Travel "And this isn't just talk: we're looking at £740 million in economic benefits from Lumo by 2032." According to the Iconic steam train Tornado delights crowds as it powers through Cornwall on rail tour The new service, once launched, will also compete with Avanti West Coast and publicly-owned ScotRail, LNER and TransPennine Express. Last year, Lumo also announced plans for a Advertisement A proposed new train service would offer journeys between London and Rochdale, with stops at Manchester. If plans are approved, it would be the first time that a direct train has connected Rochdale to London for more than 25 years. What are Lumo trains like? LUMO trains are fully-electric trains which were introduced back in 2021. At the time of launch, passengers could travel from London to Edinburgh for just £19.90. The company claimed they provided "fares that are fair". The trains do not have a first class option, but they do have USB sockets, tray tables and comfortable seating. Passengers can also personalise their lighting via a button on the back of the seat in front of them. An application has been submitted to the Office of Rail and Road and if approved, the new services could take to the rails in 2027. Also announced last year, Lumo's train service joining Advertisement Also, the Plus, the 3 The new route could launch as early as spring 2026 Credit: Alamy
