First Group has submitted the first part of an application to run open-access rail services between Hereford and London.

Running under the Lumo brand, the new service would see trains call at London Paddington, Bristol Parkway, Severn Tunnel Junction, Cwmbran, Pontypool and New Inn and Abergavenny.

First Group says that the new service would support further investment in new trains.

In 2024, First Group placed a £500m order for 14 new trains from Hitachi Rail and First Group has an option of a second order of a similar size and the Hereford fleet would form part of this second order.

FirstGroup Chief Executive Officer, Graham Sutherland said “We have extensive experience of running open access rail operations and we want to bring our successful Lumo service to this new route that connects Hereford, South Wales and London. Open access operators deliver trains to under-served routes, offering passengers choice at competitive fares. Passenger surveys routinely report very high satisfaction levels, and open access operators are giving customers new travel options and driving demand, paying their own way without public funding. We will be working closely with stakeholders as we build our application and our case for this new service.”