Daily train service connecting Stirling and London set to launch next week

A historic train service linking Stirling with London is set to officially launch on Monday, with the service expected to sell out.

Ahead of the first official journey, more than 350 people took the journey to London on Thursday, with around 300 people coming in the opposite direction to Scotland.

This is the first time the city has been linked to the West Coast line, and it saves passengers from having to travel to Glasgow and then down south.

Council chiefs have warmly welcomed the link, which is set to pave the way for major investment across the region.

Stirling Council leader, Cllr Susan McGill, who travelled on the train with Provost, Rosemary Fraser, said: “It’s exciting news that passengers will start using Lumo’s new rail service between Stirling and London from May 25, just as we head into the peak tourism season.

“The additional four daily return journeys to London will enhance Stirling’s already excellent rail and transport connections to cities across the UK and provide more sustainable travel options for residents and visitors.

“The improved rail links to key economic centres will also open up more opportunities for inward investment, as well as supporting job creation and business growth.

“We have long supported the introduction of this service and are committed to continuing to work with Lumo and other key stakeholders to ensure its success and to maximise the benefits for everyone in Stirling.”

Green councillor Alasdair Tollemache added: “I am very pleased to see this new service. For my constituents, it offers another service to London. We need to cut down on air travel and travel in a more substantial way. This service offers another opportunity to do so.

“It also brings in more visitors to the Stirling, Bridge of Allan and Dunblane areas.”

Four new customer experience ambassadors from the region have come on board with Lumo after training for six weeks in the run up to the launch of the service.

Ashleigh Hume from Stirling was previously in the NHS as a Health Records Officer with NHS Forth Valley and also worked in hospitality at the Golden Lion in the city.

She said: “The job popped up on social media, and I applied for it. I thought I had nothing to lose. I wanted something different and wanted to be involved in the new service from the start.

“That was a big selling point for me. I am very much a people person and enjoy a good train journey. I look forward to travelling to London. It’s an exciting thing to be part of and for the towns and the cities serviced by it.”

Grant Russell from Denny said: “I was a restaurant manager in Cumbernauld, and it’s good now to be looking after passengers. I travelled a lot in my previous job too. This service is great as it connects smaller communities.”

Joseph Kelly added: “I came from aviation as I was with Ryanair based out of Edinburgh, I am swapping wings for wheels. I have travelled for years and like going abroad whenever I can.”

Stuart Jones, managing director of First Rail Open Access said: “This is an inaugural service, Stirling has been on the East Coast route but not the West until now. Stirling is the gateway to the Highlands and is an attractive area for people to visit.

“You also want people going down the West Coast line to the likes of Preston. We have studies on the East Coast showing the services help bring in half a billion pounds to the area. So the new service will be a big boost to the local economy, and hopefully people from England will come and see what Stirling has to offer and vice versa.”