Three train operators on the East Coast Main Line have received approval from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to launch additional services starting in December 2025.

Lumo will extend its London King’s Cross-Edinburgh services to Glasgow and increase the frequency of trains between London King’s Cross and Newcastle.

These enhanced rail services are expected to boost local economies by increasing tourism and distributing visitor traffic more evenly across urban and rural areas.

As part of this initiative, 170 new zero-emission trains will be introduced, promoting cleaner travel options and supporting sustainable tourism across the UK.

The introduction of these zero-emission trains is anticipated to significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with travel, aligning with the UK's sustainability goals.

Despite plans for nationalisation under Great British Railways, open access operations will continue to serve popular routes to northern towns.

Open access operators like Lumo, Grand Central, and Hull Trains set their own fares and bear all revenue risks without taxpayer subsidies, distinguishing them from government-owned services.

Increased train services will also improve access to smaller towns like Seaham, Bradford, and Wakefield, promoting sustainable tourism by encouraging visits to less-traveled areas.

Government-owned LNER is preparing a significant timetable change in December 2025, aiming to increase daily services to 37 and provide quicker journeys between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh.

Hull Trains will introduce a new weekday and Saturday service from London King’s Cross to Hull, while Grand Central will enhance its regional operations with a new route to Seaham in County Durham.

ORR director Stephanie Tobyn emphasized that these new services will enhance connectivity along the East Coast Main Line while coordinating with other operators' major service changes planned for December.

However, some proposals, such as Hull Trains' plan for a new service to Sheffield, were rejected due to concerns over capacity and performance impact.