Regulatory Approval Granted for New Train Services Competing with Great Western Railway

The rail regulator has approved new train services designed to “compete with Great Western Railway”. Go-Op, a newly established co-operatively owned train company, intends to commence operations in Wiltshire and Somerset by December 2026. These services encompass weekday and weekend train routes connecting Taunton and Weston-super-Mare, Taunton and Westbury, Taunton and Swindon, and Frome and Westbury. The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) stated that its ruling provides Go-op with the “opportunity to bring the first co-operatively owned train service and the first regional open access service in the UK”. For the service to commence, Go-op is required to demonstrate sufficient funding for the operation’s launch, finance specific level crossing enhancements, and confirm the availability of rolling stock – or trains – necessary to initiate the service. The company must fulfill these requirements “without delay” and no later than within a year. Martin Jones, representing the ORR, commented: “Our decision gives Go-op the opportunity to bring the first co-operatively owned train service and the first regional open access service in the UK.” He added: “We think this novel proposal can benefit passengers across Somerset and Wiltshire.“ The ORR will closely monitor Go-op’s advancement in fulfilling the financial and rolling stock prerequisites essential for the services to become operational.