Arriva's Grand Central applies for extended track access rights

Arriva Group’s UK open access train operating company, Grand Central, has today announced it is seeking to extend its existing track access rights until 2038, securing its services for the next 15 years and unlocking Arriva’s intentions to invest in new, state-of-the-art trains.

Grand Central has been operating services on the East Coast mainline since 2007 as an open access operator, which means it receives no government funding or subsidy.  It directly links 15 destinations, including cities in Yorkshire and the North East with London’s Kings Cross.

The application represents a significant commitment to long-term services and supports its plans to expand services with improved connectivity and increased frequency, as outlined in a previous application, submitted to the Office of Rail and Road in May this year. 

Consultations begin with stakeholders today and Grand Central will be outlining its intentions to invest through procurement of Bi-Mode trains which are capable of operating on both electrified and non-electrified lines, offering greater flexibility and efficiency, while future-proofing its operation.

Subject to approval through the procurement process, new trains would bring significant benefits to passengers and communities, including: 

• Increased capacity: The new trains would feature approximately 20 per cent more seats than the current Class 180 units, providing additional capacity to meet growing passenger demand.
• Modernised fleet: The new Bi-Mode trains would replace the existing 24-year-old Class 180 units bringing new customer focussed features and a more comfortable experience for passengers.
• Greener services: The Bi-mode trains would cut carbon emissions and provide smoother journeys for passengers. They can operate on electric and non-electric tracks, so they can serve long into the future as track electrification gathers pace across the UK.

David Brown, Managing Director of Arriva UK Trains, commented: “Grand Central plays an important role within Arriva Group’s rail portfolio and securing long-term access will allow us to invest and grow, supporting the Government’s ambitions for Britain’s railways to thrive.  Grand Central provides reliable and efficient journeys to passengers who would otherwise not have access to services and therefore plays an essential role in economic growth by connecting communities across the north of England”.

The extension of track access rights is subject to approval by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) regulator following industry and stakeholder consultation.  

Arriva Group has extensive operating experience across long-distance, commuter, urban, inter-urban and regional train services, through its UK Trains division which includes Grand Central, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry and Arriva Rail London.  It is the only owning group to have experience with all contract types currently in use on Britain’s railway, including national rail contracts, a concessionary contract and the open access company under the Grand Central brand.

Grand Central’s open access services support and connect underserved communities, boosting economic growth and regeneration in the UK’s regions, including outside of major hubs and operate without any government subsidy.  By improving inter and intra-regional connectivity, Grand Central supports the growing regional economies it serves, including smaller towns and cities that wouldn’t normally be interconnected. 

Arriva Group is confident that the investment in new trains will not only enhance Grand Central’s services but also continue to contribute to sustainable economic growth in the regions served by the operator.

About Arriva Group:

Arriva is a leading provider of passenger transport across Europe, employing around 34,400 people and delivering around 1.6 billion passenger journeys. With buses, trains, coaches, trams, waterbuses, bike-sharing systems, on-demand transport solutions and a rolling stock leasing company, Arriva proudly connects people and communities safely, reliably and sustainably across 11 countries, delivering these services in a better way, every day. The activities of Arriva are divided into four business units: UK Bus, UK Trains, The Netherlands and Mainland Europe. Arriva has passenger transport operations in the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom, and also operates a rolling stock leasing company in Romania.