THREE East Coast Main Line train operators have been granted permission to run additional services from December, including routes passing through York.

Tuesday, 29 July 2025 14:09

By Kevin Glenton

Regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said it approved some proposals from "open access operators" Lumo, Grand Central and Hull Trains to enhance their timetables.

Open access operators set their own fares, take on all revenue risk and receive no taxpayer-funded subsidies.

They are excluded from the Government’s ongoing nationalisation of Britain’s train services.

Additional services between King's Cross and Newcastle

Government-owned LNER, with York headquarters, runs services on the East Coast Main Line, and is planning a major timetable change of its own in December, with up to 37 daily services and quicker journeys between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh.

It has previously described its overhaul as “transformational” and “the biggest change in a generation”.

The ORR rejected some proposed services from the open access operators, citing concerns over insufficient capacity, the potential impact on performance, and the effect on the Government’s revenue.

The approvals include Lumo extending some of its existing London King’s Cross-Edinburgh services to Glasgow, and additional services between London King’s Cross and Newcastle.

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