All open access articles
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NewsLyon – Bordeaux link leads SNCF’s Ouigo expansion drive
FRANCE: National operator SNCF has unveiled a further expansion of its Ouigo low-cost passenger operation, including a service linking Lyon with Bordeaux.
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NewsWestbahn to put Chinese-built double-deck trainsets into service soon
AUSTRIA: Following a long approval process, four double-deck electric multiple units supplied by China’s CRRC are to enter passenger service with Westbahn in the coming weeks.
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NewsGemini Trains still hopes to exploit Channel Tunnel capacity
EUROPE: Gemini Trains still has ambitions to launch train services between the UK and continental Europe, despite the rejection of its application for depot access rights needed to enable it to launch services from London to Paris, Brussels and eventually Köln.
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Rail Business UKVirgin Trains granted depot access paving the way for launch of Channel Tunnel high speed services
UK: The rail regulator has approved Virgin Trains’ application for depot access which it needs under its plans to launch high speed passenger train services from London through the Channel Tunnel to Paris and Brussels from 2030.
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Rail Business UKFirstGroup announces Cardiff – York open access plan and tries again to serve Rochdale
UK: FirstGroup has made initial submissions of three separate applications to the Office of Rail & Road for new and extended open access passenger train services which would be operated under its Lumo brand.
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NewsRegioJet and Leo Express target Warszawa – Kraków route
POLAND: RegioJet is launching daily Warszawa – Kraków services on September 18, with Leo Express planning to extend its Praha – Kraków service to Warszawa next March, following regulatory approval.
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NewsVirgin sets out details of plans to launch Channel Tunnel train services in 2030
EUROPE: Virgin has set out details of its plans to launch high speed train services through the Channel Tunnel, and says it is ready to confirm an order for Alstom trainsets which would enable the start of services from London to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam during 2030.
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Rail Business UKRegulator approves additional East Coast Main Line open access services but Hull Trains to Sheffield is rejected
UK: The Office of Rail & Road has approved the launch of additional and extended services by open access operators Lumo, Grand Central and Hull Trains, but it has rejected Hull Trains’ plans to launch a service to Sheffield.
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NewsRegulator rejects West Coast Main Line open access train service plans
UK: Would-be operators have responded with disappointment to the rail regulator’s decision that there is insufficient capacity to launch three open access passenger train services on the West Coast Main Line.
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NewsHigh speed train operator Velvet aims to offer simplicity, delight and innovation
FRANCE: New entrant Proxima has unveiled Velvet as the brand name for its future open access high speed train services in France.
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Rail Business UKOpen access must genuinely add value, says DfT
UK: The Department for Transport has written to the Office of Rail & Road to stress the ‘critical importance’ of considering the cumulative financial and performance impact when deciding whether to approve applications to run open access passenger services.
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Rail Business UKOpen access start-up signs track access contract but funding challenges remain
UK: Open access start-up co-operative Go-op has signed a track access contract and is now seeking investors to finance the launch of services between Swindon, Taunton and Weston-Super-Mare in December 2026.
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Rail Business UKFirstGroup applies to run Hereford – London open access service
UK: FirstGroup has submitted the first phase of an application to launch an open access passenger service between Hereford, Bristol Parkway and London under its Lumo brand.
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Rail Business UKAlstom to refresh and maintain Lumo Class 222 fleet
UK: Alstom is to refresh and maintain the five Class 222 inter-city diesel multiple-units which FirstGroup is to lease from Eversholt Rail for use Lumo open access services between Stirling and London.
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Rail Business UKTrain lease agreed as FirstGroup prepares to launch Stirling open access service
UK: FirstGroup has secured the rolling stock it needs to launch Lumo-branded open access passenger services between London Euston and Stirling in mid-2026.
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NewsEuropean Commission issues guidelines on railway infrastructure access charges
EUROPE: The European Commission has adopted guidelines on the setting of track access charges, aiming to prevent mark-ups being a barrier to market entry.
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NewsFlix orders Talgo 230 trains to support European expansion ambitions
GERMANY: Rail and coach group Flix has ordered up to 65 Talgo 230 push-pull trainsets.
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In depthUSA: Private sector can lead a passenger revival
Californian start-up Dreamstar Lines is seeking to launch a network of privately funded night trains across the USA. Co-founder & CEO Joshua Dominic issues a rallying call for private investment to fill the gaps in transport provision across North America.
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Rail Business UKArriva plans Newcastle – Birmingham – Brighton open access train service
UK: Arriva Group has announced plans to launch an open access passenger service between Newcastle and Brighton via Birmingham and London Gatwick Airport.
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In depthComment: The devil is in the detail of reform
In May the first passenger services are set to transfer from the private to the public sector as part of the UK government’s rail reform plans. But as our Head of News Andrew Grantham explains, operators that are not to be nationalised are worried that without a stronger regulatory structure than is proposed, the private players will not have the confidence needed to invest and grow.