Affordable train travel service, reminiscent of Ryanair for air travel, prepares to launch a new London-Glasgow route.
In an exciting development for rail travel in the UK, the all-electric operator Lumo has received approval from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to extend its services from London King's Cross to Glasgow, with the Scottish terminus becoming Glasgow Queen Street instead of Edinburgh. This decision paves the way for a new four-times-daily London Euston to Stirling route, expected to commence from December, and a three-times-daily London Euston to Glasgow service starting in spring 2026.
Lumo's business model, which eliminates first-class accommodation, buffet cars, and baggage thresholds, has been likened to budget airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet. The company aims to offer a more affordable alternative to the current services, particularly on the West Coast line operated by Avanti.
Currently, off-peak single fares for the journey between London and Glasgow on Avanti's West Coast line can exceed £100 (€115), with peak-time tickets soaring to over twice as much. In contrast, Lumo's proposed service is expected to offer fares starting at £49 (€56) if booked ahead, making it a more attractive option for many customers. However, the exact fares for Lumo's train service between London and Glasgow have not yet been confirmed.
Lumo's main rival on the East Coast Main Line is LNER. The new services will increase connectivity on the line, offering more options for travellers. The journey from London to Glasgow via Lumo's train service will take approximately 4 hours and 51 minutes, longer than Avanti's, but the company is confident about the success of its Glasgow service due to the high prices of other services being a significant barrier for many customers.
Lumo is an open-access operator, meaning it does not receive government or public subsidies. Instead, the company assumes all the risk of its ventures. The company is also in discussions with Transport Scotland and Network Rail to extend some of its services, suggesting a potential expansion of its network in the future.
The Glasgow service was first announced in February 2024, and the company has also received approval for its proposed Hull and Newcastle services. On Sundays, there will be one service each way for Lumo's train service between London and Glasgow, with two northbound departures and one southbound departure during the working week.
This expansion of Lumo's services is set to provide a more affordable and convenient rail travel option for many customers, offering a fresh approach to rail travel in the UK.
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