You’ll love this affordable new train service with direct routes to London

But imagine cutting out that hassle entirely and hopping on a direct train to the capital from your local station.

Thanks to Lumo, that could soon be a reality for residents of Rochdale, Eccles, and beyond.

You might not have heard of Lumo.

They run trains between Edinburgh, Newcastle and London. They now have huge plans for a direct service linking Rochdale, Manchester Victoria, Eccles, Newton-le-Willows and Warrington Bank Quay with the capital.

So, who are Lumo?

Unlike contracted operators like Northern or Avanti West Coast, Lumo is an “open-access operator.”

This means they rely entirely on ticket sales, operating independently of government funding.

As a result, they bring a competitive edge to the market, offering passengers another choice for long-distance travel.

The company’s proposal, currently under review by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), would introduce six return services per day, potentially beginning as soon as 2027.

These trains, built in the UK, would match the speed of Avanti West Coast trains, reaching up to 125 mph.

Not only are they fast, but they’re also environmentally friendly, running on electricity from overhead lines and capable of switching to onboard batteries on non-electrified routes, like the one between Rochdale and Manchester Victoria.

How much do Lumo tickets cost?

Rail fares often make headlines, and passengers are naturally curious about what this new service would cost.

While the exact fares for the Greater Manchester route haven’t been confirmed, Lumo’s existing prices between Scotland and London provide a promising clue.

On the Edinburgh-London route, a one-way ticket on a Lumo service can be as low as £42.90, significantly undercutting competitors.

In fact, on the same route, the fastest LNER service costs £135.10 for a single fare.

Even weekend family trips can offer great value, with Lumo charging £57.90 for a one-way fixed family ticket.

The new service could also see Rochdale reconnected with the capital for the first time since 2000, while Eccles would benefit from links to Salford and Media City via Metrolink.

Newton-le-Willows, meanwhile, would provide greater connectivity for the St. Helens area.

Benefitting 1.6m people

Lumo estimates that up to 1.6 million people across the North West could benefit from this new service.

The company’s emphasis on value goes beyond just ticket prices.

Lumo offers a single class of excellent service rather than separating first and standard classes.

Managing director, Martijn Gilbert

Their managing director, Martijn Gilbert, explains: “Our open access model focuses on giving good value fares and really good quality service, and gives customers a choice.”

The approach seems to be working – since Lumo launched its high-speed trains between Edinburgh and London in 2021, all train operators on the East Coast route have seen passenger numbers rise.

In a recent survey, Lumo scored an impressive 96% for customer satisfaction.

There are broader implications, too.

“Offering something different”

As the Labour government moves to bring train operators like Avanti and TransPennine Express under government control, Lumo’s independent model could offer something different.

Labour has indicated that it supports open-access operators, like Lumo and Hull Trains, as long as they add value and capacity to the rail network.

This could mean a bright future for the new service, even in the context of sweeping rail reforms.

In the coming months, the ORR will consult on the proposal, and if all goes well, Greater Manchester could be welcoming its first direct Lumo trains to London in just three years.

Lumo trains coming to Manchester?

For residents in Rochdale, Eccles, and beyond, it’s an exciting prospect – offering a faster, more affordable, and hassle-free way to travel to the capital without the Piccadilly detour.

You can find out more on Lumo’s website by clicking here