FirstGroup’s Lumo to launch new London to Rochdale low-cost trains via Manchester

Sign up to Simon Calder’s free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calder’s Travel email Get Simon Calder’s Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy New train services between London Euston and Rochdale via Manchester Victoria could be launched by the low-cost train operator Lumo. The station at Eccles provides connectivity for Salford’s Media City area, while the last time Rochdale had a direct London link via the Manchester city centre station was in 2000. FirstGroup estimates that the new services, which could begin in 2027, would provide 1.6 million people in the North West with a “convenient and competitively priced direct rail service to London from stations that are more local to them”, helping to stimulate a shift in transport mode from coach and car travel to rail. open image in gallery A Lumo train pictured on the East Coast Main Line FirstGroup chief executive 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 Rochdale and London.