FirstGroup explains why it chose Hereford for next Lumo plan as it provides more details

FirstGroup’s proposed open access service to Hereford will form part of its Carmarthen operation, the company has told RAIL.

Plans for a new route to and from London Paddington via Abergavenny, Pontypool & New Inn, Cwmbran, Severn Tunnel Junction, and Bristol Parkway were announced on June 6.

Two trains a day are planned, running in paths that won’t be occupied by Carmarthen services, which will begin in December 2027 and use Lumo branding.

Under the proposals, Abergavenny, Pontypool & New Inn and Cwmbran would get direct London and Bristol connections for the first time.

Great Western Railway runs up to four services a day via Worcester and Oxford.

Asked why First chose the route to Hereford, Stuart Jones, Commercial and Revenue Director at First Rail, said: “Open access operators are always looking at what opportunities there are, what communities we feel are under-served, and what could dovetail with an existing operation.

“We were looking how else can we build that out - what opportunities are there. It was more difficult going through Wales to find markets that lend themselves to long-distance travel.”

Jones suggested Pontypool was “perhaps under used”, and that Abergavenny presented a “really good two-way market” with customers going to London or Bristol, as well as using it to access the Brecon Beacons and parts of Mid-Wales.

“We expect to see an even distribution (of revenue) along the route,” he said.

Others in the industry have suggested to RAIL that revenue from routes such as Hereford will come from major intermediate stops - in this case Bristol Parkway.

“That’s where the money is,” one source said.

However, Jones told RAIL: “We expect to see an even distribution (of revenue) along the route.”

A proposed timetable has trains leaving London at around 0815 and 1500, and Hereford at around 1130 and 1900-1930. Journey times range from 2hrs 30mins to three hours. GWR’s services take approximately three hours.

FirstGroup is currently working with Network Rail to path these trains, along with the already approved Carmarthen services (which have track access rights until 2037) and its planned Paignton services.

Last year, First announced its intention to run five trains via Bristol Temple Meads and two (including one Up service from Highbridge & Burnham) via Bristol Parkway.

Earlier this year, Network Rail said it couldn’t support the Paignton plans, and that six of the 13 services for the route had “no viable path”.

There are concerns among some that open access services “that started out on the margins are the first ones on (the timetable), as they have got rights”.

Jones said the work so far had been based on the December 2024 timetable, but that the new May 2025 schedule had “a number of changes”.

FirstGroup wants to start its Hereford route in December 2027, to coincide with the launch of Carmarthen services.

The route into South Wales will be operated by 14 brand new Hitachi ‘80x’ units, split between the company’s Wales and Western and East Coast Main Line services.

Jones said First wanted flexibility across the routes, but suggested that adding a Hereford service would require “an additional unit” on Wales and Western.

“We are working with Hitachi on final specifications for traction,” he added.

“We’ve still got time on there, but we really need to be in a position by the end of the year on that (to meet a December 2027 start date).”

FirstGroup is also hoping the Office of Rail and Road decision will come in time for Hereford services to start alongside its Carmarthen operation.

The regulator is currently working through more than 80 track access applications - including several from FirstGroup for new open access routes between London Euston and Rochdale, Edinburgh Waverley and Glasgow Queen Street, and London King’s Cross and Sheffield.

All three are nearing the final stages of the process.

Asked if FirstGroup could come back with more proposals in future, Jones added: “We have always got ideas. If it’s bad news (on our other applications), we may look at how we present-ed them and what we need to amend.

“We are going to remain active. Watch this space.”