New report highlights open access rail as a growth engine for Britain
A new report launched in Parliament has highlighted the role of open access rail in driving regional growth, creating skilled jobs and connecting more people with opportunity across Britain.
Open Access Rail: A Growth Engine for Britain, developed by Lumo and Hull Trains in partnership with The Purpose Coalition, was launched at a House of Commons reception hosted by Dr Scott Arthur, Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South West and member of the Transport Select Committee.
The report builds on the organisations’ first Social Mobility Impact Report, published in 2024, and examines the progress Lumo and Hull Trains have made in embedding social impact across their services, workforce, investment and community partnerships.
It finds that the benefits of open access rail extend far beyond the passenger journey. By connecting communities with employment, education, culture and leisure, the operators are supporting local economies while offering passengers greater choice, value and access to lower-carbon travel.
The report highlights:
Around £500 million of investment in 14 new five-car trains, supporting British manufacturing and skilled employment at Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe facility.
The creation of around 100 jobs and a new operational base in Preston through Lumo’s expansion on the West Coast Main Line.
65 completed Lumo apprenticeships by February 2026, alongside 16 apprentice Customer Drivers training for the new West Coast service.
Lumo’s ranking as the UK’s leading operator for value for money in 2026, with an overall satisfaction score of 90 per cent.
Hull Trains’ industry-leading customer satisfaction score of 94 per cent.
A network of 39 active partnerships spanning charities, educational institutions, cultural organisations, Pride groups, tourism bodies and community organisations.
Continued investment in accessibility, including Hull Trains’ £1.2 million platform redevelopment at Howden.
Work with Rail Safe Friendly that has supported rail safety education in 45 schools and generated an estimated social value impact of more than £700,000.
The parliamentary launch brought together parliamentarians, partners, industry leaders and regional stakeholders to consider how open access rail can contribute to Britain’s wider growth ambitions.
Rt Hon Justine Greening, Chair of The Purpose Coalition said:
“Two years on, this report demonstrates just how far that journey has progressed.
What is particularly striking is the way Lumo and Hull Trains have embedded social impact into the way they operate as businesses. Rather than viewing social value as something delivered alongside their commercial activities, they have increasingly made it part of how they create value every day.”
Stuart Jones, Managing Director of First Rail Open Access, Lumo and Hull Trains, said:
“At Lumo and Hull Trains, we have always believed that rail should do more than connect stations. It should connect people with opportunity.
“Since the publication of our first Social Mobility Impact Report in 2024, both operators have continued to grow, evolve and invest. We’ve expanded our network, launched new services, created new jobs and welcomed more customers onto our trains than ever before. Throughout that growth, one principle has remained constant: commercial success and positive social impact should go hand in hand.
Lumo operates services between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh, connecting the Scottish capital with destinations including Newcastle, Morpeth and Stevenage. Its expansion to Glasgow and onto the West Coast Main Line has brought more communities into the long-distance rail network, including the first direct London services from Whifflet, Greenfaulds and Larbert.”
Dr Scott Arthur MP said:
“Lumo’s services into Edinburgh provide more than a direct connection with cities across the UK. They help people access jobs, education and leisure, support our visitor economy and offer a practical, lower-carbon way to travel. I welcome the evidence in this report that investment in rail can deliver much wider benefits for communities, regional economies and Britain’s future growth.”
Looking ahead, the report identifies four priorities for the next stage of Lumo and Hull Trains’ social impact journey: skills, jobs, place and the cost of living. It calls for continued engagement with communities and partners to ensure that new services, fleet investment and commercial growth translate into affordable travel, stronger local economies and wider access to opportunity. As Lumo and Hull Trains continue to expand, open access rail has the potential to make an even greater contribution to Britain’s future by creating new connections, supporting UK supply chains, developing skilled careers and helping more people choose sustainable travel.
