East Coast Trains

This article is about the future open access operator. For the former train operating company, see East Coast (train operating company).
East Coast Trains
Overview
Franchise(s): Open-access operator
Not subject to franchising
Starts May 2021
Stations called at: 5
Parent company: FirstGroup

East Coast Trains[1] is a future open access operator in England owned by FirstGroup. It proposes to operate up to five return services per day between London King's Cross and Edinburgh via the East Coast Main Line. It has a track-access agreement for ten paths per day from May 2021.

History

In 2015, the Office of Rail and Road called for expressions of interest for open access operators to bid for extra paths on the East Coast Main Line. In May 2016, FirstGroup were granted a track-access agreement for ten paths per day from May 2021.[2][3][4]

Virgin Trains East Coast have stated they are considering appealing against the decision to grant the track access agreement with the Office of Rail and Road.[5]

Services

East Coast Trains will operate five services a day between London King's Cross and Edinburgh calling at Stevenage, Newcastle and Morpeth.[4]

Operations

FirstGroup intends to compete with existing services on the London-Edinburgh route by offering tickets with an average fare price of £25 and free Wi-Fi connectivity for all passengers.[5]

Rolling stock

East Coast Trains will procure a fleet of five 125mph electric multiple units. All trains will have buffet cars and only one class of seating accommodation, with no first class carriages available.[4][6][7]

References

  1. ↑ Companies House extract company no 8765536 East Coast Trains Limited
  2. ↑ Applications for the East Coast Main Line Office of Rail and Road 12 May 2016
  3. ↑ First Group to run Edinburgh to London budget rail service BBC News 12 May 2016
  4. 1 2 3 VTEC and FirstGroup granted East Coast Main Line paths Railway Gazette International 12 May 2016
  5. 1 2 Budget East Coast Train Service Is Approved Sky News 12 May 2016
  6. ↑ "First Group launches London - Edinburgh open access plans" Rail issue 770 18 March 2015 page 20
  7. ↑ "First Group plans ECML service" Today's Railways issue 161 May 2015 page 13
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