Open-access operator Lumo launched its first service between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh in 2021 New and more frequent rail services could be on the way for millions of Brits, as independent operators roll out plans to launch extra trains around the country. The Scottish city of Stirling and Carmarthen in south-west Wales are among the places that may soon have direct links to London under proposals from prospective open-access company Grand Union Trains .
What is an open-access rail operator? Most of the major rail operators in the UK are either owned or paid management fees by the UK, Scottish and Welsh governments. LNER, Scotrail, CrossCountry, Avanti West Coast and many, many others fall into this category. But the tracks can also be used by open-access operators, which set their own fares, take full commercial risk, and don’t receive any taxpayer-funded subsidies.