{"id":41739,"date":"2020-03-06T17:55:52","date_gmt":"2020-03-06T17:55:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/?p=41739"},"modified":"2020-03-06T17:55:52","modified_gmt":"2020-03-06T17:55:52","slug":"new-train-to-london-awaits-approval-to-launch-in-may-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2020\/03\/06\/new-train-to-london-awaits-approval-to-launch-in-may-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"New train to London awaits approval to launch in May 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grand Union Trains promise passengers a faster, cheaper, comfier trip&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/top-image-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41745\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/top-image-1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41745\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>GUT plan to lease former LNER InterCity 225 (Class 91) trains for the first stage of their new route. [<a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/andreboeni\/27120065261\/\">Photo: Andrew Bone on Flickr<\/a>]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>A PROPOSED\u00a0new\u00a0train service from Cardiff to London\u00a0is hoping to gain approval in the next couple of months.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The\u00a0original\u00a0application submitted\u00a0to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR)\u00a0by Grand Union Trains\u00a0(GUT)\u00a0last year\u00a0was\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0service\u00a0from Cardiff\u00a0to Paddington stopping only at Severn Tunnel Junction and Bristol Parkway.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>However, after discussions with the Welsh Government,\u00a0GUT decided to submit a new application which included an\u00a0extension of the route to cover Swansea and\u00a0Llanelli.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>If ORR approve the full application, the new service will start in May 2021 from Cardiff and the extension will begin two years later.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>This would run in&nbsp;competition&nbsp;with the current Great Western Railway (GWR) service on this route.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Speaking to The Cardiffian, GUT Managing Director Iain Yeowart said\u00a0the initial service would be run with Class 91 trains (pictured above) before using brand new 802 trains (pictured below) for the extended route.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe expect to receive a decision&nbsp;from the ORR in April or May of this year.&nbsp;The application is moving on quite nicely, and it is where we would expect it to be at this stage,\u201d said&nbsp;Mr&nbsp;Yeowart.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cOnce the price, leasing and delivery times of the new trains are agreed, we\u00a0aim\u00a0to\u00a0begin\u00a0operating\u00a0the extended\u00a0route\u00a0in\u00a0May\u00a02023.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/46658691814_1094a143d2_b-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41740\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/46658691814_1094a143d2_b-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41740\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>GWR Hitachi Class 802 bi-mode train. The same kind is likely to be used for the extended GUT service. [Photo: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/tguppy37401\/46658691814\/\">Thirty Seven 401 on Flickr<\/a>]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>GUT has\u00a0said the new service would offer passengers more choice of trains, faster travel times and\u00a0drive ticket prices down.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>It\u00a0would\u00a0also\u00a0reinstate a buffet service, as opposed to trolley catering, and passengers would not pay more\u00a0for purchasing tickets on board.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Tickets would also include a seat, with a 50% refund issued if this promise is not kept.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>The business would also be based in South Wales, bringing approximately 150 jobs to the area.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Mr&nbsp;Yeowart said: \u201cIt is important for&nbsp;this&nbsp;area,&nbsp;particularly&nbsp;when we see HS2 is being built, which is great for other areas but does little for South Wales.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere\u00a0are\u00a0something like 32 buses running from Cardiff to London each day which\u00a0should\u00a0not be\u00a0necessary for a\u00a0two hour\u00a0train\u00a0journey,\u00a0if the\u00a0pricing was right.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>GUT has\u00a0also expressed interest in sharing ideas for infrastructure improvements,\u00a0but\u00a0Mr\u00a0Yeowart stressed that this was\u00a0<em>not\u00a0<\/em>necessary for the new service to launch.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cPotential infrastructure work, particularly at Seven Tunnel Junction,\u00a0will be subject to further discussion with Network Rail and the Welsh Government,&#8221; said Mr Yeowart.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere are also a lot of plans for Cardiff Central Station. We have got some ideas\u00a0about what we could do there,\u00a0but we do not need to do any infrastructure work\u00a0in order to access Cardiff Central and run the new\u00a0service. The important thing is to get the\u00a0service running.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"799\" height=\"533\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/26526139271_811b6284ea_c.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41741\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/26526139271_811b6284ea_c.jpg 799w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/26526139271_811b6284ea_c-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/26526139271_811b6284ea_c-770x514.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/26526139271_811b6284ea_c-500x334.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/26526139271_811b6284ea_c-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/26526139271_811b6284ea_c-293x195.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"799\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/26526139271_811b6284ea_c.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41741\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/26526139271_811b6284ea_c.jpg 799w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/26526139271_811b6284ea_c-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/26526139271_811b6284ea_c-770x514.jpg 770w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/26526139271_811b6284ea_c-500x334.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/26526139271_811b6284ea_c-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/26526139271_811b6284ea_c-293x195.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Cardiff Central Station, where the new GUT service to London will initially begin. [Photo: <a href=\"https:\/\/flickr.com\/photos\/126337928@N05\/26526139271\">Jeremy Segrott on Flickr<\/a>]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Passengers welcomed the introduction of a service which will make the trip less expensive, taking to Twitter to voice their opinions:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Very much looking forward to Grand Union Trains service starting so there\u2019s competition. The fares on GWR peak time services are utterly extortionate.<\/p>&mdash; RJG (@bobbymaesteg) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/bobbymaesteg\/status\/1187081511440474114?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">October 23, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">This one million times. I was brought up to take the bus \/ train and only learned to drive in my late 20s. Cardiff to London is around \u00a3100 train fare for 140 miles. Lunacy <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/BqWmDaLOIO\">https:\/\/t.co\/BqWmDaLOIO<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Zo\u00eb Howerska is a festive floaty thing \ud83c\udf31 (@ZoeHowerska) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ZoeHowerska\/status\/1234423159891382272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">March 2, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>As part of&nbsp;a pre-submission&nbsp;consultation period which ended in September 2019,&nbsp;Customer Manager of Network Rail, Craig Tomlin, invited&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/orr.gov.uk\/__data\/assets\/pdf_file\/0009\/42111\/responses-to-grand-union-trains-track-access-application.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">interested parties to offer their views on the&nbsp;application<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>In\u00a0a\u00a0letter of reply,\u00a0on September 11,\u00a0a spokesperson for\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.transportfocus.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\">Transport Focus<\/a>,\u00a0a watchdog who campaign on behalf of passengers, said the group was broadly in favour of the proposal so long as it didn&#8217;t adversely affect passengers or other operators using the line.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>GWR, the sole operator on the Cardiff\u00a0to\u00a0London route also replied to the consultation.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>GWR said: \u201cThis proposal has practicability concerns. The line is fast approaching congested status with the introduction of the enhanced GWR main line service in December 2019.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>GWR\u00a0particularly cited issues of financial impact\u00a0of competition to\u00a0their business, something which is being considered by ORR.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe are looking at the application. We haven\u2019t&nbsp;made a decision&nbsp;yet. We need to look at the economic impact on existing operators,\u201d said an ORR spokesperson.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Other respondents to the consultation included rail freight companies, Transport for Wales, Network Rail and Cross Country trains.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Responses varied and highlighted issues such as congestion on the line, access to Paddington station and storage and maintenance facilities in South Wales.<\/p>\n\n\n<p>In their feedback to the responses GUT pointed out that they would be paying \u00a38m\u00a0per\u00a0year in charges to access the line and would be able to offer\u00a0competition\u00a0for the first time since the line was\u00a0privatised\u00a0nearly 25 years ago.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/1152423_c21a0536.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41742\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/1152423_c21a0536.jpg 640w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/1152423_c21a0536-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/1152423_c21a0536-500x334.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/1152423_c21a0536-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/1152423_c21a0536-293x195.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/jomec.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/1152423_c21a0536.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-41742\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/1152423_c21a0536.jpg 640w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/1152423_c21a0536-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/1152423_c21a0536-500x334.jpg 500w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/1152423_c21a0536-370x247.jpg 370w, https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/1152423_c21a0536-293x195.jpg 293w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/noscript><figcaption>Passengers in the main concourse of Cardiff Central, the city&#8217;s largest station [Photo: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.geograph.org.uk\/photo\/1152423\">Ruth Sharville<\/a>]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Speaking outside Cardiff Central Station, some passengers felt that services within Wales were a more pressing issue.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Margaret Jones, who lives in North Wales, said: \u201cThe greatest need is&nbsp;to improve services from&nbsp;Holyhead&nbsp;to London. I\u2019d say it might be good for people who travel on the Cardiff to London route a lot, but not at the detriment&nbsp;of internal services.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Jessica\u00a0Poukens, 28, from Cardiff, said:\u00a0\u201cGetting up to North Wales is near impossible, so they need to focus on inside Wales so people can spend money here instead.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cI also do not think it will happen \u2013 and if it does it will be in 20 years.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>Currently, depending on what time your train leaves Cardiff Central an adult,\u00a0standard-class ticket to Paddington on Monday March 9 will cost between \u00a3248.80 for an anytime return and\u00a0\u00a383.60 for a super off-peak return.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cCheaper tickets are almost certain which will put pressure on other operators to adjust their prices too \u2013 you see it happen all the time.\u00a0On the East Coast Main Line there has been competition for many years, which has driven growth and reduced fares and the same would happen in South Wales,\u201d said\u00a0Mr\u00a0Yeowart.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<p>\u201cPeople who feel they cannot afford to travel&nbsp;by&nbsp;train now will.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Grand Union Trains promise passengers a faster, cheaper, comfier trip&nbsp; A PROPOSED\u00a0new\u00a0train service from Cardiff to London\u00a0is hoping to gain approval in the next couple of months.\u00a0\u00a0 The\u00a0original\u00a0application submitted\u00a0to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR)\u00a0by Grand Union Trains\u00a0(GUT)\u00a0last year\u00a0was\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0service\u00a0from Cardiff\u00a0to Paddington stopping only at Severn Tunnel Junction and Bristol Parkway.\u00a0 However, after discussions with the Welsh Government,\u00a0GUT decided to submit a new application which included an\u00a0extension of the route to cover Swansea and\u00a0Llanelli.\u00a0 If ORR approve the full application, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":96,"featured_media":41747,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[92,361],"tags":[1089,1090,1091,1092,782,1093,1094,51],"coauthors":[],"class_list":["post-41739","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-city","category-days-out","tag-application","tag-cardiff-to-london","tag-decision","tag-passenger","tag-price","tag-train","tag-train-ticket","tag-travel"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>New train to London awaits approval to launch in May 2021 - The Cardiffian<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2020\/03\/06\/new-train-to-london-awaits-approval-to-launch-in-may-2021\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"New train to London awaits approval to launch in May 2021 - The Cardiffian\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Grand Union Trains promise passengers a faster, cheaper, comfier trip&nbsp; A PROPOSED\u00a0new\u00a0train service from Cardiff to London\u00a0is hoping to gain approval in the next couple of months.\u00a0\u00a0 The\u00a0original\u00a0application submitted\u00a0to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR)\u00a0by Grand Union Trains\u00a0(GUT)\u00a0last year\u00a0was\u00a0for\u00a0a\u00a0service\u00a0from Cardiff\u00a0to Paddington stopping only at Severn Tunnel Junction and Bristol Parkway.\u00a0 However, after discussions with the Welsh Government,\u00a0GUT decided to submit a new application which included an\u00a0extension of the route to cover Swansea and\u00a0Llanelli.\u00a0 If ORR approve the full application, [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2020\/03\/06\/new-train-to-london-awaits-approval-to-launch-in-may-2021\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Cardiffian\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-03-06T17:55:52+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2020\/03\/feature-image.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"711\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"533\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Catriona Aitken\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Catriona Aitken\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2020\/03\/06\/new-train-to-london-awaits-approval-to-launch-in-may-2021\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/cardiffjournalism.co.uk\/thecardiffian\/2020\/03\/06\/new-train-to-london-awaits-approval-to-launch-in-may-2021\/\",\"name\":\"New train to London awaits approval to launch in May 2021 - 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