Arriva’s Grand Central Proposes New Direct Rail Service Connecting Newcastle to Brighton via London Gatwick

Arriva’s Grand Central Proposes New Direct Rail Service Connecting Newcastle to Brighton via London Gatwick

(IN BRIEF) Arriva, through Grand Central, has applied to the ORR for a new direct rail service between Newcastle and Brighton via London Gatwick. The service would offer five trains per day, connecting underserved communities in the Northeast and Midlands with the South Coast without the need to interchange through London. The proposal aims to improve regional connectivity and provide a sustainable travel option, with a potential launch in December 2026. The service would also offer enhanced amenities, including luggage space, Wi-Fi, and on-board catering.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 25-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Arriva Group, through its open access rail operator Grand Central, has announced plans to submit an application to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for a new direct rail service linking Newcastle and Brighton via London Gatwick. This proposal aims to introduce vital connectivity to underserved communities and provide passengers with a more efficient and sustainable travel option.

The new service would operate five trains per day in each direction, taking advantage of under-utilized network capacity. If approved, the route would be the first direct connection between Newcastle and Brighton, bypassing London and offering enhanced travel opportunities from the Northeast and Midlands to the South Coast.

The service, which could launch as early as December 2026, would provide direct access to London Gatwick and other major destinations like Northallerton, Warwick, and Burton-on-Trent. With a capacity of 300 passengers per train, it would include luggage space for airport travelers, as well as amenities like on-board catering, Wi-Fi, and charging points.

Paul Hutchings, Managing Director of Arriva UK Trains’ Rail Services, emphasized, “We’re excited about submitting this application to provide a direct service between Newcastle and Brighton, which will make better use of existing network capacity while offering more sustainable travel options. This is a key part of our broader strategy to strengthen regional connectivity and improve access to jobs, education, and leisure for communities.”

In addition to the proposed Newcastle to Brighton service, Arriva is also awaiting approval for other initiatives, including additional daily return services between Bradford and London and a direct connection between London and Grimsby.

Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer at London Gatwick, expressed support for the proposal, noting, “This new service would enhance connectivity to Gatwick, offering improved travel options for passengers and strengthening the airport’s connections to underserved areas.”

Notes to editors:

The proposed Newcastle to Brighton service would call at: Newcastle, Durham, Darlington, Northallerton, York, Doncaster, Sheffield, Derby, Burton-on-Trent, Birmingham New Street, Warwick Parkway, Banbury, Oxford, Reading, Wokingham, Guildford, Redhill, London Gatwick, Haywards Heath and Brighton

About Arriva Group:

Arriva is a leading provider of passenger transport across Europe, employing around 34,400 people and delivering around 1.6 billion passenger journeys. With buses, trains, coaches, trams, waterbuses, bike-sharing systems, on-demand transport solutions and a rolling stock leasing company, Arriva proudly connects people and communities safely, reliably and sustainably across 11 countries, delivering these services in a better way, every day. The activities of Arriva are divided into four business units: UK Bus, UK Trains, The Netherlands and Mainland Europe. Arriva has passenger transport operations in the Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom, and also operates a rolling stock leasing company in Romania.

Media Contact:

Press office
communications@arriva.co.uk

SOURCE: Arriva Group