YORK headquartered rail operator Grand Central has formally submitted an application to run additional services on its North East and West Riding routes.

Following a period of consultation with other train companies and industry stakeholders, Grand Central yesterday submitted its application to the Office of Rail and Road.

The new services would run on its current routes as well as new direct journeys for passengers travelling to and from Peterborough.

If approved, the move will bring Grand Central’s current daily North East route operation to six return services, from five at present, and its West Yorkshire route would see six trains to London and five returning from London throughout the day, and increase from the four current services.

The new train services will provide an additional 1,600 daily seats to or from the capital, in response to demand from Grand Central customers, and will be operated by Grand Central’s Adelante fleet, which is currently undergoing a significant refurbishment programme.

Richard McClean, managing director of Grand Central, said: “We have been encouraged by the support we have received from a number of consultees.

“We believe that expanding our operations will benefit both our existing and potential new passengers, as well as grow existing markets.

“As well as bringing additional benefits to our customers, we see these additional services as continuing the economic growth we have supported in communities along our routes by enabling social mobility and enabling communities to thrive.

“The proposed additional services are an important part of Grand Central’s longer term strategic development, building on the strong growth we have already seen on our existing routes.

“The proposed services are essential to encouraging competition in the rail market and to connecting communities and businesses.

“We’re pleased to present these growth proposals and hope the ORR shares our view on the benefits these new services will bring and share our vision for sustainable investment in the long term.”