By Robyn Smith
Hull Trains is wanting to launch a twice-daily return train between Sheffield and King’s Cross, which would run through Woodhouse, Worksop and Retford.
Ticket prices would be cut by 30%, seeing a Saturday morning ticket dropping from £60 to £42 and a weekday morning ticket dropping from £40 to £27.
The application comes following the success of the Hull to King’s Cross service previously introduced by Hull Trains.
Richard Salkeld, Head of Communications and Partnerships for Hull Trains and Lumo said: “Our fares are very competitive so we can give customers a lot more choice, if you look back to the old Hull trains, there was one service a day from Hull to London. Thanks to Hull trains there’s now eight services a day each way.”
A consultation period comes following the application and a discussion with Network Rail is needed to secure the approval.
The proposed schedule for the two daily trains are as follows:
Sheffield – London King’s Cross depart at 9:20am to arrive at 11:44am and 16:54 to arrive at 19:14.
London King’s Cross – Sheffield depart at 12:48 to arrive at 14:57 and 14:57 to arrive at 21:56.
The route would have major sustainability benefits, offering a shift in mode of transport from road to rail.
The price-cut would also bring great benefits to Sheffield as a whole, with Mr Salkeld saying “If Sheffield get a direct train service to London, there is enhanced opportunities and connectivity that come from that.”
With the route from Hull to King’s Cross benefitting the University and the cities diversity.
Mr Salkeld added: “The University of Hull saw approximately a 45% increase in students coming to Hull from London and abroad. With the cultural diversity benefitting the city, it will help to boost its economic fortunes.”
The price-cut will also prove to be beneficial to students currently attending the University of Sheffield.
Third-year Aerospace student at the University of Sheffield, Cade McCarthy, 20, who lives in Hertfordshire, described the current train fares as “absolutely extortionate”.
He added: “I think I would benefit a lot from it being cheaper purely because students don’t have a lot of money as it is, and with the cost of living going up everywhere, it’s nice to go home and have those comforts.”
The route would provide Sheffield with its first regular service to King’s Cross since 1968.