2nd Jun 2025 10:47
(Alliance News) - FirstGroup PLC on Monday said it has struck a deal with rolling stock company Eversholt Rail Ltd for diesel trains to serve its new rail route between London and central Scotland.
The Aberdeen, Scotland-based public transport provider said it has entered rolling stock leases for five class 222 six car diesel trains, with a total seat capacity of 340 standard class sets per service.
The trains will serve its planned new route between London Euston and Stirling in Scotland.
As previously announced, FirstGroup bought Grand Union Trains GWML Holdings Ltd which included track access rights to run open access rail services between London Euston and Stirling.
The current track access agreement runs until 2030 and includes four return services a day, with three on Sundays, and an additional daily return service between Preston and London.
FirstGroup said services are currently expected to start in mid-2026 following the delivery of the trains and staff training.
The new service will be operated under the Lumo brand, which currently runs services between London and Edinburgh. Services will also call at Milton Keynes Central, Nuneaton, Crewe, Preston, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert.
FirstGroup said it expects to achieve annual revenue of GBP50 million and a low double-digit operating profit margin.
It said it will evaluate opportunities to extend the track access agreement, to make use of the option for additional electric or bi-mode trains.
Chief Executive Officer Graham Sutherland said: "The mobilisation of our new service between London and Stirling is another important step towards rolling out Lumo as a nationwide operator and growing our open access capacity, a key priority for the group.
"Our investment and capabilities in open access rail have delivered reliable, value for money services, grown rail demand and helped to spur economic growth and connect communities. We look forward to doing the same on our new services."
Shares in FirstGroup were down 0.2% to 190.60 pence in London on Monday morning.
By Michael Hennessey, Alliance News reporter
Comments and questions to [email protected]
Copyright 2025 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Related Shares:
Firstgroup