Azuma Services Transform Travel to Lincoln

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) will today, 21 October 2019, launch new Azuma services between Lincoln and London King’s Cross.

The inaugural Azuma service will depart Lincoln at 11:18 following a special event held at Lincoln Station, celebrating the start of transformed rail services between Lincoln and London.

The introduction brings with it a significant boost in services, from one to six return services a day by the end of the year.

Suzanne Donnelly, Commercial Director at LNER, said: “We’re thrilled that Lincoln is the first destination along our route to benefit from additional services with our new Azuma fleet. This marks an important moment for the city, and we are confident that our Azuma trains will not only revolutionise the customer experience for those who travel with us but open up huge economic benefits for the city and wider area.

“The new services provide significantly more opportunities for business travel, tourists and international visitors wanting to experience the many historic and cultural attractions Lincoln proudly offers including the cathedral, castle and magnificent views from the medieval wall.”

The Azuma fleet will provide a two-hourly Monday to Friday service departing London at 10:06, 12:06, 14:06 and 16:06. Southbound services will depart Lincoln at 11:18, 13:23, 15:26 and 17:14.

The current 07:30 Lincoln to London and return service from London at 19:06 will be replaced by an Azuma train later in the year as the transformation of LNER services on the route continues, and additional weekend services will be introduced in December.

Rail Minister, Chris Heaton-Harris, said: “I’m delighted that passengers can now make the most of new Azuma services between Lincoln and London, providing millions of people with more punctual, frequent and reliable services.

“As part of our £5.7bn Intercity Express Programme, and significant investment in the East Coast Main Line, we are focused on delivering more seats, on faster and more comfortable journeys.”

To support business customers travelling between Lincoln and London, LNER is also introducing a new Lincoln Business Package ticket. The offer, which has been developed in partnership with Lincoln City Council, includes overnight parking and a £5 onboard food voucher included in the price of the ticket and is the first of its kind on the LNER route.

Azuma is a game changer in more ways than one. The state-of-the-art fleet offers the best ever onboard WiFi, plug sockets at every seat and more legroom in Standard Class. Extra space for bags, ergonomically designed seats and an excellent range of refreshments served at seat or from the Cafe Bar, will further transform the journey experience.

The Azuma fleet offers significant environmental benefits which will be fully realised on the London to Lincoln route. Azuma trains will run using power from the overhead electric wires between London and Newark North Gate. The bi-mode Azuma trains will then operate under diesel power for the short stretch between Newark and Lincoln.

Communities and customers at stations across the route will benefit from substantially lower noise pollution levels thanks to the Azuma trains being quieter than the existing fleet, which will be fully replaced by June 2020.