The UK isn’t a very big place, all things considered. It shouldn’t be that difficult to get around a place which is about half the size of one single American state – and yet, as any Brit will tell you freely (and often without being asked), trains in this country are a bit rubbish.
Lumo is hoping to improve the country’s desolate rail landscape with affordable long-distance fares – and it’s expanding its services. The operator has revealed it intends to extend its London-Edinburgh route to Glasgow.
The provider’s main draw is its budget friendly prices, averaging at less than £50 for a one-way ticket between the two UK capitals. LNER, which runs the same route between Glasgow and London via Edinburgh, may also be discontinuing its service, which would make Lumo the sole provider of the slightly zig-zagging journey.
LNER’s west coast service between London and Glasgow, which is not at risk of being cancelled, is quite a bit faster than the Lumo east coast equivalent would be. Still, Lumo hopes its prices will tempt budget friendly travellers who aren’t looking to pay double the cost of a flight for a journey which is three times as long.
The expansion is set to happen in summer 2025, so we’ve still got a bit to wait yet. Until then we can only wait with bated breath for the LNER/Lumo face off. Bookies are taking bets now as to who will come out on top as the definitive cross-country railway provider.*
*A bookie is unlikely to actually accept a bet regarding UK train rivalries.
Trains in the news
We at Time Out like to keep up to date on the latest in the world of UK railway news. For instance, did you see that this tiny Welsh town is getting its train station back? Maybe you missed that this vital service in England is being axed, or that Edinburgh’s getting a brand new £2 billion tram service. We also keep you up to date with latest information about ongoing strikes.
Did you see that the legendary Crooked House pub is being rebuilt?
Plus: This airline has been named the worst in the UK, again.
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