Virgin Trains East Coast has today added new services from Sunderland and Stirling to London.
The rail operator said they have been introduced after demand from business travellers, who have been calling for more early morning departures.
The routes are part of Virgin’s “ambitious” plans to transform services on its east coast route, which includes a £21 million overhaul of its fleet of 45 trains – part of a £140 million investment over eight years.
The Sunderland service will depart at 05:40 and arrive into London Kings Cross at 09:08, with the return service departing London at 20.00. Both will be faster than existing direct trains to Sunderland, by seven minutes southbound and 11 minutes northbound.
The early-morning Stirling service will depart at 05:26 and arrive into London at 10:52 - This is 46 minutes faster than the existing 05.30 departure, which requires a change of train and arrives in London at 11.42.
The train will also call at Falkirk Grahamston, and will link with the existing 06.26 departure from Edinburgh Waverley. The return service will depart London King’s Cross at 15.00, arriving in Stirling at 20.16.
UK rail minister Claire Perry, said: “It is fantastic to see the start of these new services from Sunderland and Stirling.
“As a one nation government, we know that transport doesn’t just help hardworking people get around, it helps them get on. These new services will provide better journeys for customers and boost economic ties between Scotland, the north east and London, stimulating growth and helping rebalance our economy.
“These new services are further proof that the new east coast franchise is delivering real benefits for customers across the UK. We are also proud that passengers on the east coast route will also benefit from the introduction of new government supported Intercity Express Programme trains from 2018.”
Virgin East Coast has also added a week day evening service between Hull and Doncaster. From today travellers in Hull, Brough, and Selby will be able to travel on a new service to Doncaster, with onward connections to Newark North Gate, Grantham, Peterborough, Stevenage and London King’s Cross.
A fleet of 65 new Virgin Trains will also be introduced on the east coast from 2018. The trains will be built by Hitachi at its plant based in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.