FirstGroup Archives - International Railway Journal

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May 26, 2026 | Main line

Lumo launches second service in Britain

New London - Stirling open-access service runs on West Coast Main Line.

December 10, 2025 | Commuter Rail

FirstGroup wins London Overground operating contract

New concession starting on May 3 2026 will see capacity and service frequency increased.

June 6, 2025 | Main line

Fleet lease agreed for Lumo London - Stirling service

Alstom will refurbish five diesel trains for the open-access service starting in mid-2026. FirstGroup is also seeking to introduce a London - Hereford Lumo service.

January 24, 2025 | Policy

Keep Britain’s independent regulator, says FirstGroup

Operator says maintaining a strong ORR when creating Great British Railways is vital if open access and the wider railway are to grow.

December 6, 2024 | Fleet

Hitachi wins British new trains contract

FirstGroup to lease 14 new trains for open-access services.

December 5, 2024 | Main line

FirstGroup to expand Lumo to south Wales and targets southwest England

The company has bought the open-access business of Grand Union Trains.

November 21, 2024 | Commuter Rail

GTS Rail is new operator of London’s Elizabeth Line

Joint venture of Go-Ahead, Tokyo Metro and Sumitomo is preferred bidder for seven-year contract starting in May 2025.

May 20, 2024 | Main line

FirstGroup and Virgin apply to operate open-access services on Britain’s West Coast Main Line

FirstGroup plans London - Rochdale service as Virgin considers return to rail with four routes.

March 20, 2024 | Main line

Transport for the North wants Avanti West Coast contract terminated

Transport planning and delivery body writes to British secretary of state.

May 23, 2023 | Passenger

Britain’s DfT to review viability of Wi-Fi on trains

To reduce costs, the Department for Transport is considering whether to ask operators to shut down Wi-Fi on trains.

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