A train operator has applied to expand their services across the North East and North Yorkshire. 

Grand Central has submitted its application to the rail regulator, the Office for Rail and Road (ORR), extend its track access rights in Yorkshire and the North East beyond 2027.

If approved, this will secure Grand Central’s long-term future in the region.

Their services link 15 destinations to London King’s Cross, and is the only operator to connect underserved areas like Sunderland, Halifax, Hartlepool, and Pontefract directly to London.

If approved, the company says that the application could unlock the conditions for Grand Central to invest in new, state-of-the-art Bi-Mode trains, replacing the current 24-year-old stock and could increase capacity on the line by up to 20 percent, offering more services to customers and making journeys "more reliable and comfortable."

Grand Central claims the trains would also cut carbon emissions and could serve the UK long into the future as they operate on both electric and non-electric tracks.

The move builds on Grand Central's previous application to the regulator earlier this year to deliver additional services and new stops across Yorkshire and the North East.

This would include new services to Seaham, which would be the town’s first and only direct connection to London, a additional services from York to London.

Both applications have been backed by local businesses including Hays Travel, F.C. Halifax Town, and the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.

Paul Hutchings, managing director responsible for Grand Central, said: “We’re proud of the role we play at Grand Central in connecting underserved communities across Yorkshire and the North East, and we’re grateful to be backed by local businesses who recognise the crucial role our services play in connecting businesses to opportunities that drive local growth.

"We want to secure our long-term future in the region, creating the conditions to unlock investment in new trains at no cost to the taxpayer – expanding capacity and enabling us to deliver an even better experience for our passengers and the communities we serve.”

Most read: 

Get the latest news, sports, and entertainment delivered straight to your device by subscribing to The Northern Echo here. 

Dame Irene Hays, Owner and Chair of Hays Travel, said: “Hays Travel is proud to be headquartered in Sunderland, where we have had a presence since 1980.

"We have almost 500 branches across the UK and are passionate about regionalism. As the largest independent travel agent in the UK we have relationships with more than 600 suppliers and tour operators who travel regularly to our head office who also appreciate being able to take a direct train from Kings Cross to Sunderland; just as we value being able to walk to the station from our head office and travel direct to London.

"Grand Central is an excellent service and I wholeheartedly support their application for track access rights beyond 2027, meaning they can invest in their future.”