A new train firm planning to set up as a rival to Great Western Railway on the mainline from south Wales to London has been given permission to launch services. The Government department responsible for Britain's railways has authorised the introduction of new train services between London, Cardiff and south west Wales.
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has approved an increase in rail services on the Great Western Main Line, the main railway line that runs from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads and connects to other main lines at Swansea, Swindon, Penzance and Reading.
A company called Grand Union Trains has applied to launch the services with the aim of bringing competition to the Great Western route out of Paddington when they're introduced from the end of 2024.
Passengers travelling between London, Bristol Parkway, Severn Tunnel Junction, Newport, Cardiff, Gowerton, Llanelli and Carmarthen will benefit from an extra five daily return services and "greater choice of operator," the ORR said. The Office also said its decision to open up the Great Western Main Line and allow rail services from a new operator brings "potential benefits in terms of lower fares, improved service quality and innovation for all passengers using the route".
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Grand Union Trains applied to the ORR for permission to introduce new rail services in June, 2022, it confirmed later, but was immediately met with frustration from Network Rail which expressed concerns about the "capacity" of the network. Following Network Rail's concerns, the ORR says it "analysed" the situation - and has since advised Network Rail to "enter into a contract" with Grand Union.
Grand Union says it is committed to "significant investment" in its new trains. But as it is an "open access train operator," it will not get paid subsidies from public funds, unlike other operators on the route.
A spokesperson for the ORR said: "ORR supports new open access where it delivers competition for the benefit of passengers. In making this decision, the regulator has weighed this up against the impact on Government funds and effect on other users of the railway, both passengers and freight customers.
Director of strategy, policy and reform at ORR, Stephanie Tobyn added: "This decision supports more choice for passengers, new direct journey opportunities, more price competition, and new comfortable trains.
"The added competition should also make a significant contribution to innovation in terms of the routes served, ticketing practices and service quality improvements, by both Grand Union and through the response of existing operators."
What do you think about this announcement? Are you pleased to read that five more return services are set to operate from London to South West Wales each day? Let us know your thoughts in the comments
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