Train firm given permission to compete on East Coast Main Line

More services on the way as FirstGroup is given the go-ahead to compete with Virgin Trains on the East Coast Main Line.
By The Newsroom
Published 12th May 2016, 08:42 BST
Updated 12th May 2016, 11:05 BST
FirstGroup has been told it can start to run new services on the North East Main Line.FirstGroup has been told it can start to run new services on the North East Main Line.
FirstGroup has been told it can start to run new services on the North East Main Line.

The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) regulator granted approval for FirstGroup to launch open access services between London, North East England and Edinburgh.

The 10-year deal will allow it to operate five trains a day each way from London King's Cross to the Scottish capital, via intermediate stations at Stevenage, Newcastle and Morpeth from 2021.

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Virgin Trains East Coast (VTEC) currently holds the franchise to run services on the line until at least March 2023.

FirstGroup claimed its trains would offer cheaper fares, with an average fare of less than £25, and free wi-fi, making them a better option than other rail services and air travel.

The company's chief executive, Tim O'Toole, said: "I'm pleased that the ORR has granted track access rights for our unique low-cost service between London, the North East of England and Edinburgh.

"This is great news for passengers, as our new service will widen the choice of travel options between these cities and offer an attractive alternative to those available today.

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"We will offer genuinely low fares at half the average price of today, while adding significant benefits to the UK economy.

"Our brand new trains will be cheaper than other rail services, greener than the plane, quicker than the coach and will get passengers from London to Edinburgh earlier than they can arrive today, all for an average fare of less than £25.

“Now that our application has been approved and we have been granted rights we will implement the next steps to deliver our proposals which include discussions with Network Rail and rolling stock manufacturers."

Stagecoach Group - which owns 90% of VTEC - criticised the decision to allow FirstGroup to run competing services.

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Martin Griffiths, chief executive of Stagecoach Group, said: "We do not believe the granting of these services within a franchised system and without a level playing field is in the best interests of passengers, taxpayers or communities.

"We will assess the ORR decision and implications in detail and review our options."

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