Lumo: A New Budget Rail Service from London to Edinburgh

There’s now a new way to travel between London and Edinburgh for about $20 each way – and it doesn’t involve setting foot on a plane or dealing with airport drop-off charges.

Introducing Lumo

Lumo is a new budget rail line that made its official debut in London on Friday, Oct. 22. Passenger services on the all-electric, low-carbon train line are set to begin on Monday, Oct. 25, offering travelers a direct route from the center of London to the heart of Edinburgh in approximately four-and-a-half hours.

Affordable Fares for Everyone

While not every traveler may secure Lumo’s lowest fares, the company is committed to keeping 60 percent of its available seats priced at less than $42. “Traveling in the UK should not cost a fortune, and it certainly shouldn’t be the planet that pays,” remarked Lumo’s Helen Wylde during the rail line’s launch.

European Trends in Sustainable Travel

Other European countries are adopting similar approaches in the wake of Swedish activist Greta Thunberg’s decision to avoid flights to combat climate change. For instance, France is banning short domestic flights in favor of high-speed trains to lessen carbon emissions.

Environmental Impact and Healthier Choices

FirstGroup, which owns Lumo, estimates that nearly 75,000 travelers opt for flights between London and Edinburgh each month. By choosing a train journey, passengers could significantly reduce the emissions associated with their travel. Lumo aims to illustrate this impact by providing carbon emissions data and calculators.

Onboard Experience

Passengers onboard will find a menu that is 50 percent plant-based, along with crew members wearing recyclable uniforms. “We are committed to discovering greener, smarter, and more comfortable ways to connect people,” stated Wylde.

Modern Amenities

The company’s Hitachi AT300 trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, and there is only one class of service to simplify the ticket purchasing process. Although specific sales figures were not disclosed, Lumo indicated that sales have outperformed expectations. “We intend to reimagine rail travel and are pleased that people are giving us a chance,” Wylde added.