Virgin Trains has applied for a license to operate rail services on the West Coast Mainline, five years after losing the franchise to Avanti West Coast.
The move, if successful, would allow Virgin Trains to run services independently, without government subsidy, alongside franchised operators like Avanti. Open Access is seen as a way to increase consumer choice and competition in the rail industry, and Virgin believes it is the future of rail services.
Virgin Trains operated the West Coast Mainline service, which runs from London Euston through Birmingham and Manchester to Scotland, for 22 years before being disqualified from bidding for the franchise in 2019. Since Avanti West Coast took over, there has been substantial public and political pressure due to their poor performance.
In a major policy review, the Labour party expressed support for the Open Access model as part of their broader railway reform strategy. This endorsement signals a potential shift towards more open access operations in the UK rail network.
The Transport for the North board has demanded the government strip Avanti of its franchise due to ongoing poor performance. Greater Manchester Metro Mayor Andy Burnham criticized Avanti for severely damaging the regional economy since the timetable issues began in 2022.
The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) recently approved Grand Union Trains, an open access operator, to start new services from 2025 between London and Stirling, indicating growing support for such models. These operators run without government funding and are believed to offer more choices and better prices for passengers.
Stephanie Tobyn, ORR’s Director of Strategy, Policy, and Reform, highlighted that open access operations help increase services and boost competition, leading to improved outcomes for rail users.
Virgin Trains’ application for an Open Access license represents a significant step towards enhancing competition and choice in the UK rail industry. The potential return of Virgin Trains to the West Coast Mainline could improve service reliability and offer passengers more travel options, thereby boosting tourism and regional economies. This move aligns with broader industry trends and political support for open access rail services, promising a more competitive and user-friendly railway network.
