A new train service connecting London and Scotland has been suspended only a week after its launch due to a mechanical fault with the operator's sole train. Lumo, owned by FirstGroup, confirmed it could not run services on the West Coast Main Line on Monday.
The route, which began operations last Monday between Euston and Stirling, also serves Milton Keynes Central, Crewe, Preston, and Carlisle. Both planned services for Monday were cancelled, and passengers are being advised to travel by taxi, coach, or alternative train operators.
A Lumo spokesperson said: 'Since launch, the vast majority of our services have operated as planned, however, a few services have been cancelled with alternative travel offered to customers. We apologise for the inconvenience and are working closely with Alstom to ensure minimal disruption.'
The faulty train is a refurbished Class 222 Meridian train previously used by East Midlands Railway. Lumo's timetable is initially limited to one daily return service due to a lack of rolling stock, but it expects to increase to four daily return services by late July.
Lumo also runs services on the East Coast Main Line and operates on an open access basis, meaning it sets its own fares and receives no taxpayer subsidies. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has expressed concerns that such models can cause congestion and leave taxpayers to cover maintenance shortfalls.
