Grand Central Plans to Expand Open Access Rail Services

Arriva’s Grand Central has submitted an application to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to expand its open access rail services on UK routes. The planned increase will affect routes connecting the North East and West Yorkshire to London.

If approved, the new services could be launched as early as May 2025. The application includes a proposal for two additional daily return services between Bradford and London, which will increase the total number of services to six per day. There are also plans to add a morning service from York to London King’s Cross and a late evening return service.

The new services could provide over 550,000 additional seats. David Brown, Managing Director of Arriva’s UK Trains, stated that these proposals will offer more services and choices to passengers, building on Grand Central’s successful operations that connect several underserved communities in the North East and West Yorkshire with London. He emphasized that this is a growth opportunity for rail connectivity and a positive development for both passengers and Grand Central staff.

Arriva Group has experience with all contract types currently used on the British railway, including national rail contracts, concession contracts, and the open access company. Open access services aim to support nationwide connectivity without receiving government subsidies, making them an essential part of the sustainable development of Britain’s railway system.