ORR allows GC to serve Peterborough

[dk1]

I always forget just how far from London Peterborough is. I tend to think of it as sort of equal to Milton Keynes or Bedford, but it's almost equivalent to Leicester or Birmingham.

That said, the £3.50 advances from Euston to Crewe I used to get on LNR with 16-17 Saver back in the days were even better value
(Technically £3.50 from Euston to Manchester, because back then I didn't have the best integrity and used to hop onto Coach A of the Virgin knowing very well TMs never bother to go the short side of their Coach C office between Crewe and Manchester. )

It's rare I see a GC advance that's better value than an LNER or Hull one though, but maybe I'm just looking at the wrong times.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Nov 2023 ==


That doesn't detract from the fact £10.85 is still very good.

Yes at 70 odd miles doing 125mph and arriving in approx 45mins several times an hour is a superb service.Peterborough is very lucky indeed.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I tend to see GC advances a couple of quid cheaper than LNER's, I don't look at Hull Trains fares, but I always think its worth it to pay a little bit more and get LNER.

In standard class you're getting no more on LNER than on Hull Trains beyond a cafe and a break from Neil Rudd's nasty sarcastic announcements, but each to their own. I prefer Azumas to Paragons predominantly as I like the red more than the bland, boring blue, but I wouldn't pay more for that discrepancy.

Anyway, I'd like to see if Grand Central reduce the prices of Wakefield tickets to incentivise Peterborough customers. At the moment it takes an extra hour on LNER, but with severely undercut fares I'd take it if not in a rush.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Nov 2023 ==

Yes at 70 odd miles doing 125mph and arriving in approx 45mins several times an hour is a superb service. Peterborough is very lucky indeed.

Now it just needs rid of the asbestos-ridden bridge

 

[YorkRailFan]

In standard class you're getting no more on LNER than on Hull Trains beyond a cafe and a break from Neil Rudd's nasty sarcastic announcements, but each to their own. I prefer Azumas to Paragons predominantly as I like the red more than the bland, boring blue, but I wouldn't pay more for that discrepancy.

Anyway, I'd like to see if Grand Central reduce the prices of Wakefield tickets to incentivise Peterborough customers. At the moment it takes an extra hour on LNER, but with severely undercut fares I'd take it if not in a rush.

I personally really like Neil's announcements, clear and easy to understand. I pay more for LNER over GC because I prefer an Azuma over an Adelante.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Nov 2023 ==

Yes at 70 odd miles doing 125mph and arriving in approx 45mins several times an hour is a superb service.Peterborough is very lucky indeed.

Yet its often listed as one of the worst cities to live in the UK.

 

[dk1]

Yet it’s often listed as one of the worst cities to live in the UK.

It’s not for me I’m afraid but it has a large and often well healed catchment area.

 

[YorkRailFan]

It’s not for me I’m afraid but it has a large and often well healed catchment area.

It's also a good Interchange on the railways.

 

[dk1]

Now it just needs rid of the asbestos-ridden bridge

Never knew that although I personally like that bridge. Shame it’s not still used by tractors, BRUTEs and the Royal Mail

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Never knew that although I personally like that bridge. Shame it’s not still used by tractors, BRUTEs and the Royal Mail

Although I haven't been there for about a year now, there were always enormous paper signs on the walls of the steep ramps telling workers to beware. I don't know how you can like it. It's a gigantic, metal, industrial-estate esque eyesore, in my opinion. I much prefer the newer model to the southern end.

 

[dk1]

It's also a good Interchange on the railways.

Very much so and better than ever since platforms 3, 7 & 8 were constructed and closure of the old platform 1 bay along with re numbering of 2/3 to become 1/2.

 

[YorkRailFan]

GC issues their response:

We're delighted to confirm plans to bring our long-distance rail services to Peterborough for the very first time.
In a major boost for regional connectivity, we will introduce four new stops at Peterborough Station from early in the new year.
Peterborough’s new services will provide customers with fast and reliable links through to destinations including Sunderland, Bradford and London.
In addition to the new direct travel opportunities, these services will mean significantly faster and more efficient connections for customers, with some journeys from Yorkshire, the North East and London being cut by up to an hour.

Sean English, Grand Central’s Chief Operating Officer, said “We’re delighted and proud to be bringing Grand Central trains to Peterborough. As an open-access operator, we’re always looking to innovate and bring new connections to areas that are underserved by the regular timetable. The decision to approve our application is recognition of the benefits that competition on the railway can deliver, both for customers and the taxpayer.”

#railwayindustry #peterborough

Grand Central Rail | LinkedIn

Grand Central Rail | 9,022 followers on LinkedIn. Grand Central is an open-access passenger train operator with a reputation for industry-leading customer satisfaction. We connect communities in the North East and Yorkshire with London. Grand Central is part of the Arriva group, an international...

www.linkedin.com

Doesn't really add to anything already discussed but I do think that "reliable links" is pushing it based on GC's reliability.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

GC issues their response:

Grand Central Rail | LinkedIn

Grand Central Rail | 9,022 followers on LinkedIn. Grand Central is an open-access passenger train operator with a reputation for industry-leading customer satisfaction. We connect communities in the North East and Yorkshire with London. Grand Central is part of the Arriva group, an international...

www.linkedin.com

Doesn't really add to anything already discussed but I do think that "reliable links" is pushing it based on GC's reliability.

One of the three units stopping per day might well be a Voyager, which would help somewhat, and their arrival themselves have marginally mitigated availability issues with the 180s.

 

[bramling]

Yet its often listed as one of the worst cities to live in the UK.

You beat me to it. Peterborough might be lucky with its rail service, but one can’t really be considered lucky to live in Peterborough. It was always a rather featureless place, and developments over the past decade or two haven’t been kind to it. Just looking at the GTR route, the section north of Hitchin always has a rather more “blue collar” feel to it compared to the Cambridge and King’s Lynn route.

 

[bspahh]

You beat me to it. Peterborough might be lucky with its rail service, but one can’t really be considered lucky to live in Peterborough. It was always a rather featureless place, and developments over the past decade or two haven’t been kind to it. Just looking at the GTR route, the section north of Hitchin always has a rather more “blue collar” feel to it compared to the Cambridge and King’s Lynn route.

I'd say Peterborough is equivalent to Kings Lynn for the environment and house prices. £200k gets you a reasonable house in a reasonable area. House prices in Cambridge are another world.

 

[357]

GC will be calling at PBO from Monday. The first call will be the 09:14 to Sunderland, followed by the 11:46 to Bradford Interchange, 13:04 & 17:19 to Kings Cross.

Times are on RTT: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...-0159?stp=WVS&show=pax-calls&order=wtt&toc=GC

 

[YorkRailFan]

GC will be calling at PBO from Monday. The first call will be the 09:14 to Sunderland, followed by the 11:46 to Bradford Interchange, 13:04 & 17:19 to Kings Cross.

Times are on RTT: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...-0159?stp=WVS&show=pax-calls&order=wtt&toc=GC

Will the doors open or will it just be a scheduled stop for pathing? Will it be drop off only on the KGX services and pick up only for the Sunderland and Bradford services?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Will the doors open or will it just be a scheduled stop for pathing?

They've been scheduled to stop for pathing for yonks (apparently my new favourite word), so nobody would be drawing attention to it if it was simply that happening as usual. You'll be able to get on.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Jan 2024 ==

Will it be drop off only on the KGX services and pick up only for the Sunderland and Bradford services?

No.
If you followed the link, RTT could've told you that though.

 

[357]

Will the doors open or will it just be a scheduled stop for pathing? Will it be drop off only on the KGX services and pick up only for the Sunderland and Bradford services?

The trains have been stopping for pathing since May last year. From Monday the schedules have them as passenger stops instead of pathing stops.

I have no idea about ticketing unfortunately.

 

[moonarrow458]

Will the doors open or will it just be a scheduled stop for pathing? Will it be drop off only on the KGX services and pick up only for the Sunderland and Bradford services?

Having had a look at Grand Centrals website at least on the northbound services theres no pick up or set down restrictions. And it does appear to be possible to buy tickets for journeys on the aforementioned GC ssrvices to and from Peterborough. GC have different tiers of advances fares loaded into BR fares for London Kings Cross to Peterborough, most of which undercut the LNER advance fares. Little saving to be had on the 1057 ex Kings Cross, relative to LNER services around that time, but the 0827 sunderland train from Kings Cross gives quite a significant saving compared to the equivalent LNER services at that time.

Grand Central have however not updated the timetables on their website to show the Peterborough calls

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Trainsplit shows Advance Fares (GC only) for the 10:57 Grand Central service from King's Cross to Peterborough for £17 (£11 with railcard). Good value, and proves set down won't be restricted. Good decision. It's a 50(ish) minute journey. Pick up only would be unnecessary.

 

[YorkRailFan]

Having had a look at Grand Centrals website at least on the northbound services theres no pick up or set down restrictions. And it does appear to be possible to buy tickets for journeys on the aforementioned GC ssrvices to and from Peterborough. GC have different tiers of advances fares loaded into BR fares for London Kings Cross to Peterborough, most of which undercut the LNER advance fares. Little saving to be had on the 1057 ex Kings Cross, relative to LNER services around that time, but the 0827 sunderland train from Kings Cross gives quite a significant saving compared to the equivalent LNER services at that time.

Grand Central have however not updated the timetables on their website to show the Peterborough calls

Thanks! GC will especially undercut LNER once LNER removes off peak singles on trial. Shame GC's reliability hasn't been great as of late.

 

[dk1]

Thanks! GC will especially undercut LNER once LNER removes off peak singles on trial. Shame GC's reliability hasn't been great as of late.

Of late?? It’s been horrendous for a couple of years. Far more choice & frequency with LNER.

 

[YorkRailFan]

This is a proud day for the team at Grand Central, as the first of our trains begin stopping at Peterborough station for the very first time.

The four new service stops will provide our customers with fast and reliable links through to destinations including Sunderland, Bradford and London, cutting some journey times by up to an hour.

Reflecting on today’s milestone, our Chief Operating Officer Sean English said:

“We’re delighted to be bringing Grand Central trains to Peterborough. As an open-access operator, we’re always looking to innovate and connect areas that are underserved by the regular timetable. By introducing these new stops, we’re able to offer our existing customers more options and flexibility, at the same time as bringing our services to the Peterborough community.”

Grand Central Rail | LinkedIn

Grand Central Rail | 7,272 followers on LinkedIn. Grand Central is an open-access passenger train operator with a reputation for industry-leading customer satisfaction. We connect communities in the North East and Yorkshire with London. Grand Central is part of the Arriva group, an international...

www.linkedin.com

Of course GC used a Voyager (as shown in a picture under the press release), there didn't seem to be a lot of fanfare (on here or on Twitter/X, GC's Twitter/X has been very quiet about this topic) but it's good to see this happen.