New "100% electric" train connecting London, Edinburgh, ahead of COP26
British multi-national transport group "First Group" unveils a new no-frills, eco-friendly rail service connecting London to Edinburgh, during a press event at London’s King’s Cross station. Called "Lumo", the train is presented as "100% electric" and a carbon-neutral, zero-emission alternative to flying that looks to appeal to "increasingly environmentally-conscious” passengers ahead of the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow at the end of the month. The train made its inaugural voyage as part of the press event on Thursday and passenger trains will begin on Monday.
Lumo, FirstGroup’s new 100% electric, affordable rail service, will travel from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh for the first time today [21 October] as it celebrates its inaugural service.
Early ticket sales data suggest reaction to Lumo’s greener and affordable offering has been positive.
With the first passenger services beginning on Monday [25th October], Lumo says sales are above expectations, despite selling tickets for just 44 days.
Weekend train services have been particularly popular as people begin to rediscover using the rail network for staycations and to visit friends and family.
Brit Award-winning singer-songwriter Tom Walker will perform to volunteers from Lumo’s charity partner, The People’s Kitchen, during the inaugural journey. Also travelling will be disability campaigner and train enthusiast Harvey Price, who was recently appointed Lumo’s Diversity & Inclusion Ambassador.
The inaugural service also marks a significant feet of manufacturing, as the brand new, state-of-the-art Hitachi AT300 intercity electric trains were constructed during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, while observing appropriate safeguards.
Ahead of COP26, the Lumo fleet demonstrates how UK manufacturing and rail can offer a zero-emission alternative to flying and deliver green growth.
Lumo’s passenger services begin on Monday 25th October. It aims to create more than 13 million additional passenger journeys in the next decade as well as reducing carbon emissions by encouraging travelers to use greener, electric rail travel. It will contribute as much as £250m to the UK economy over ten years.
