Grand Central Submits Track Access Rights Application

• Grand Central has submitted its application to the rail regulator to extend its track access rights beyond 2027, with the ambition of securing its long-term future operating across Yorkshire and the North East

• The application has been backed by local organisations including Hays Travel, F.C. Halifax Town, and the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, which acknowledge the crucial role Grand Central plays in boosting regional connectivity and local growth

• If approved, the application could unlock the conditions for Grand Central to invest in new, state-of-the-art trains which could boost capacity on key routes by 20%

Grand Central has submitted its application to the rail regulator, the Office for Rail and Road (ORR), to extend its track access rights in Yorkshire and the North East beyond 2027. If approved, this will secure Grand Central’s long-term future in the region.

Grand Central links 15 destinations to London King’s Cross, and is the only operator to connect underserved areas like Sunderland, Halifax, Hartlepool, and Pontefract directly to London. Its services are provided using available rail network capacity, run at no cost to the taxpayer, and can offer passengers savings of up to 80% on fares compared to other long-distance operators.

If approved, the application could unlock the conditions for Grand Central to invest in new, state-of-the-art Bi-Mode trains. These trains would replace the current 24-year-old stock and could increase capacity on the line by up to 20%, offering more services to customers and making journeys more reliable and comfortable. The trains would also cut carbon emissions and could serve the UK long into the future as they operate on both electric and non-electric tracks.

The move builds on Grand Central's previous application to the regulator earlier this year to deliver additional services and new stops across Yorkshire and the North East. This would include new services to Seaham, which would be the town’s first and only direct connection to London, and additional services from York to London.

Both applications have been backed by local businesses including Hays Travel, F.C. Halifax Town, and the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, which have acknowledged the crucial role Grand Central’s services play in boosting regional growth. Grand Central’s services support an area outside London with a combined GDP of £113bn, and connect businesses and workforces in major cities such as Sunderland, Bradford, Peterborough, and Doncaster to the commercial opportunities that can unlock their potential and drive economic growth.

Paul Hutchings, Managing Director responsible for Grand Central, said: “We’re proud of the role we play at Grand Central in connecting underserved communities across Yorkshire and the North East, and we’re grateful to be backed by local businesses who recognise the crucial role our services play in connecting businesses to opportunities that drive local growth. We want to secure our long-term future in the region, creating the conditions to unlock investment in new trains at no cost to the taxpayer – expanding capacity and enabling us to deliver an even better experience for our passengers and the communities we serve.”

Dame Irene Hays, Owner and Chair of Hays Travel, said: “Hays Travel is proud to be headquartered in Sunderland, where we have had a presence since 1980. We have almost 500 branches across the UK and are passionate about regionalism. As the largest independent travel agent in the UK we have relationships with more than 600 suppliers and tour operators who travel regularly to our head office, who also appreciate being able to take a direct train from Kings Cross to Sunderland; just as we value being able to walk to the station from our head office and travel direct to London. Grand Central offers an excellent service and I wholeheartedly support their application for track access rights beyond 2027, meaning they can invest in their future.”

David Bosomworth, Chairman of F.C. Halifax Town said: “The club and community are fully behind Grand Central’s applications to secure its long-term future and expand its services across the region. Grand Central’s services are a crucial way for our fans and visitors to reach The Shay and we want to see them maintained and expanded so we can maximise the benefits this connectivity brings to our club and the town.”

Mark Casci, Head of Policy and Representation at West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Yorkshire’s economy is crying out for improved connectivity. As such, Grand Central’s ambitious plans have our unequivocal support and we hope it will be successful with its applications.”