French train manufacturer Alstom revealed on Thursday its intentions to initiate its own passenger rail service across England and Wales starting in 2025.
The company disclosed its collaboration with consultancy firm SLC Rail to establish a rail service connecting North Wales, Shropshire, the Midlands, and London.
Alstom stated that it would submit an application to Britain's Office of Rail and Road on Thursday, with the goal of commencing the service as early as 2025.
"As the country’s leading provider of rolling stock and train services, it is a natural progression for us to venture into operating our own fleet to directly serve passengers," noted the maker of France's TGV trains.
The proposed rail service, named Wrexham, Shropshire, and Midlands Railway (WSMR), plans for five trains per day in each direction from Monday to Saturday and four trains on Sundays.
Alstom estimated that the service would cater to approximately 1.5 million individuals outside London and projected the creation of around 50 job opportunities.
"In the West Midlands, WSMR trains will bypass Birmingham – one of the most intricate and congested segments of the British rail network – by utilizing the Sutton Park line, presently designated for freight services only," added the company. Photo by Entropiness, Wikimedia commons.