A cut-price rail service linking Newcastle and Northumberland with London and Edinburgh has created more than 100 jobs with the opening of its HQ in the region.
Lumo last month launched its service that connects Newcastle and Morpeth with London, Stevenage and Edinburgh. The company, which is part of the larger First Group, aims to provide customers with a low-cost alternative to flying in between the cities.
It has invested £2m in training programmes and aims to create more than 13 million additional passenger journeys in the next decade. It has also partnered with Newcastle homelessness charity The People’s Kitchen to support its work.
Managing director Helen Wylde said: “Newcastle is the gateway to the North East and we’re excited about bringing visitors here to enjoy and explore the region.
“It is also a fantastic place to live and work. We are very keen to build business connections in the region, which is why setting up here was such a good fit for us.”
Lumo is an open access train operating company, which does not receive state subsidies or pay for access to the rail network. It has invested £100m with Hitachi Rail to manufacture and maintain five 100% electric trains from its factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.
The company, which runs five services a day, has single fares of less than £15. It has attempted to emphasise its green credentials by publishing carbon emissions data, committing to a largely plant-based menu and reducing paper and plastic waste.
The company’s Newcastle offices will be opened today by city MP Chi Onwurah and city council cabinet member Coun Ged Bell.
