It’s the year 2000: the shiny new Millennium Dome has just opened, Britney is top of the charts and the people of Rochdale are hopping on a direct train down to the Big Smoke for a weekend jolly.
Such joys were short-lived. Rochdale’s service to London came to a halt in May 2000, and the northern town hasn’t had direct trains to the capital since. But that could be about to change.
Transport company FirstGroup has revealed plans to introduce a fast new electrically=powered train service between Rochdale and London. Better yet, those plans intend to use open access rail operator Lumo, known for its affordable prices.
FirstGroup wants to have six return journeys a day, travelling via Manchester Victoria, Eccles, Newton-le-Willows and Warrington Bank Quay. Apparently, the line would serve 1.6 million people in the region at a ‘competitive price’.
FirstGroup has submitted a formal application to the Office of Rail and Road. If it all goes through, bosses hope services could start in 2027.
Planes, trains and automobiles
With millions of us relying on public transport day in and day out, we at Time Out like to keep you up to date. Recently in the news, Glasgow could trial free public transport, Uber is expanding to two Scottish cities, Newcastle is getting swanky new trains and there’s a new affordable flight from Edinburgh to New York.
And of course, we’ve got a regularly refreshed guide to train strikes across the country.
Did you see that a brand-new steam train museum has opened in Wales?
Plus: three popular UK seaside towns are introducing a tourist tax this summer.
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