Overview

• Arriva Group has submitted an application to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) to operate five daily direct services between Newcastle and Brighton under its Grand Central brand.
• The route, planned to begin in December 2026, would include stops at key stations such as York, Sheffield, Birmingham New Street, Oxford, Reading, and Gatwick Airport.
• The service aims to provide a more efficient, affordable, and sustainable travel option by eliminating the need to transfer through London.
• Arriva has invested £300 million in a new fleet of battery-hybrid trains, supporting its commitment to modernizing rail services and reducing emissions.
• The Department for Transport, moving toward re-nationalizing rail services, has emphasized the need to evaluate the taxpayer impact and network performance of such proposals.