In a clear vote of confidence for open-access rail in an era of renationalisation, Alstom has signed a £50 million agreement to overhaul and maintain the fleet behind Lumo’s bold new Stirling-to-London service, marking the operator’s first foray into West Coast competition.
The contract, jointly funded by FirstGroup and rolling stock lessor Eversholt Rail, will see Alstom upgrade five six-car Class 222 Meridian units ahead of the open-access launch in mid-2026—a revised timeline from the original 2025 plan. The move positions Lumo to directly challenge Avanti West Coast and other legacy players on Britain’s busiest long-distance rail artery.
Alstom to Deliver Full Overhaul and Maintenance Package
Under the deal announced Tuesday, Alstom will carry out a £10 million refurbishment programme to modernise the former East Midlands Railway trains, and provide a five-year Train Services Agreement (TSA) worth £40 million. Refurbishment will take place at Alstom’s Widnes modernisation centre, while ongoing maintenance and cleaning will be based at Central Rivers depot in Staffordshire.
The upgraded Class 222s will receive:
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New ergonomic seating
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Enhanced onboard Wi-Fi
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Intelligent Engine Start-Stop (IESS) technology to cut emissions
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A new CCTV system
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A full Lumo rebrand and exterior livery refresh
Peter Broadley, Alstom UK&I’s Commercial Director, called the deal “a significant milestone,” adding: “We’re ensuring passengers benefit from a modern, reliable and comfortable travel experience between Stirling and London.”
Lumo’s Open Access Expansion Pushes North and West
FirstGroup’s budget-friendly Lumo brand is best known for disrupting the East Coast Main Line with its 2021 launch of low-cost, unsubsidised services between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh. Now, the company is taking that model westward—launching four daily return trips (three on Sundays) from Stirling to London Euston via the West Coast Main Line.
The service will include stops at a blend of major hubs and first-time intercity entrants:
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Scotland: Stirling, Larbert, Greenfaulds (Cumbernauld), Whifflet (Coatbridge), Motherwell, Lockerbie
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England: Carlisle, Preston, Crewe, Nuneaton, Milton Keynes, London Euston
Crucially, Larbert, Greenfaulds, and Whifflet have never had direct London services before. Lumo’s route design highlights the brand’s mission to plug long-standing connectivity gaps with unsubsidised, point-to-point links.
Private Investment in a Nationalising Climate
Lumo’s expansion comes at a politically sensitive time. The UK government, under Labour, has already brought multiple franchised operators—most recently South Western Railway—into public ownership. Yet open-access rail, which receives no public subsidy and bears full commercial risk, remains protected under current Office of Rail and Road (ORR) policy.
Keir Starmer’s administration has signalled that it supports open-access operators in principle, even as it consolidates control elsewhere. At Prime Minister’s Questions last month, Starmer told MPs: “These operators have huge potential to offer passengers more choice.”
But others within government, including Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, have warned that increased private competition may “undermine publicly accountable operators” as Whitehall seeks greater control over underperforming routes.
The result is a regulatory landscape walking a tightrope between public interest and private initiative.
FirstGroup’s Broader Open-Access Strategy
With East Coast Lumo services performing ahead of expectations—ticket sales surged 17% year-over-year in Q1 2025—FirstGroup is clearly bullish on the open-access model. The new Stirling–London service represents its most ambitious expansion yet and marks a direct challenge to Avanti, whose West Coast franchise has faced repeated criticism for service delays and staffing issues.
A key part of FirstGroup’s pitch is affordability. Lumo’s model eschews onboard catering, business class, and peak pricing. The goal: keep fares low and frequencies high to appeal to price-sensitive travellers who might otherwise fly or drive.
An executive close to the rollout said the project “is backed entirely by private capital, but delivers a very public good—more choice, better service, and greater regional inclusion.”
New Route, New Tech, and a Modernised Fleet
The Class 222s were originally built by Alstom in the early 2000s and saw long service with East Midlands Railway before being withdrawn. Alstom’s modernisation programme will align them with Lumo’s minimalist, tech-forward branding.
Refurbishment plans include:
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Eco-efficiency: IESS technology for fuel reduction
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Comfort: Newly designed seat layouts for improved legroom
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Connectivity: Upgraded Wi-Fi and charging points at every seat
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Safety: New onboard surveillance and alert systems
While not new-builds, the Class 222s are seen as highly adaptable for 125 mph intercity service. Alstom’s overhaul will extend their lifecycle while aligning them with modern performance and passenger expectations.
Industry Divided Over Open Access Future
While the ORR remains supportive of open-access ventures, the broader UK rail industry remains divided.
Supporters argue that models like Lumo introduce discipline and dynamism into a network plagued by inefficiency. Critics warn that cherry-picking profitable routes risks fragmenting timetables and weakening public rail delivery.
For now, the £50 million investment in Lumo’s West Coast debut suggests the private sector still sees real opportunities in rail—regardless of who owns the tracks.
