New Open Access Operators Coming to the Network

What are Open Access Operators? And did you know there are several new ones coming ( in advanced planning stage ) meaning there will be soon be some New Train Operating Companies operating services on the the National Rail Network. Here's a breakdown of the current one, and the new ones starting soon ...

More Details and Websites on the New Applications:

CORRECTIONS:
4:09 I've got Motherwell and Lockerbie transposed on the map, should be the other way round!

[geofftech]

If ... anyone can find a good link for more information for the planned Virgin train services, please post it here! ( thanks )

[asdaneedsfunds]

The Euston applications are all bidding for the same slots in the timetable. It won't be possible for more than one of them to run without a significant change to the timetable, which cant happen before HS2 phase 1 opens.

[NiallMcKenzie]

That virgin one looks good, especially if they cut the journey time between Motherwell and London by moving Motherwell 60 miles south 👀

[HeyItsAJOmega]

Lumo expanding from five-car to ten-car trains would be so useful. Every Lumo train I've been on has been absolutely packed, rightfully so given their cheaper fares *and* no First Class for peak capacity. New trains and services are always welcome, and the Grand Union Euston-Stirling service sounds like an epic journey! And the Alliance Rail proposal sounds really exciting too! It'd be great to have more cross-country orientated services, to not just compete with CrossCountry but improve services and connections elsewhere in the country without having to go via London to get anywhere. Connecting North Wales, Northern England and Scotland together would be so useful.

[NigelCorbett-kwoj]

They will also get a percentage of all the “Any Permitted Route” tickets sold over the routes they’ll be operating. For something like London to Edinburgh that’s a lot of money they’ll get for passengers that are travelling on other providers’ services.

[Legolancer]

slight typo on the map at 1:46, ah yes, “stevange” great video as always Geoff!

[LWR]

Very exciting and well explained Geoff. Another one that may start quite soon is Go-op, who will go through my local area and hopefully start December this year between Swindon and Taunton using Class 153s!

[joermnyc]

Nostalgia for Virgin trains, as we rode the “Mail route” up to Holyhead for the ferry connection over to Dublin. It was a lovely Pendolino, the crew were excellent and we learned how to properly pronounce the names of the stops in northern Wales. (Just don’t quiz us now, it was 10 years ago! 😂)

[rikufryderyk]

thanks for the breakdown, Geoff, very helpful :)

[-MapEnthusiastjjeu]

Great video Geoff, thanks for sharing the information. I’m definitely going to be very exited about the new Cardiff to Edinburgh line

[Spacebug]

as a west coaster i cant wait for avanti to have real competition

[timothyleberl]

Very informative video Geoff, I saw that most of the new access operators are due to start in 2025 which is next year already, wow, definitely going to keep an eye out for those being rolled out next year, I'm very excited to see all of these 😀

[TravelJackJourneys]

Fantastic video very informative I travelled a lot between Yorkshire and London Kings Cross I always travel with Hull Trains. There started running a bus service from Goole to Howden which connects with the Hull Trains Service

[saintuk]

Grand Union, fact it's stopping at my station Larbert and even Stirling is super interesting and exciting - nice to see more options.

[guillaumemaurice]

Thank you for sharing the video Geoff that is very interesting information. 💖

[travelswithjess]

Fantastic video Geoff! Very informative 😀

[symbolman]

This is a way that ticket prices are brought down. I once saved a large amount of money by going Grand Central to Sunderland and then onwards to Newcastle on the Metro. It was longer but the saving was worth it.

[garthcox]

The WSMR route would mean the return of passenger trains to the sutton park line, which has been freight only for many years.

[jamiesworld]

Am all for direct service ftom Edinburgh to Wales

[shogun]

An alternative to the diabolical GWR service running through South Wales? Consider me intrigued.
The Cardiff to Edinburgh service sounds interesting too, but I fear that it'll be extremely expensive as it won't have any competition.