Trains run between London and Stirling - despite toilets being out of use
The journey from Stirling to London takes more than five-and-a-half hours
A train operator is running services lasting more than five-and-a-half hours despite having no available toilets.
Some of Lumo’s services on the West Coast Main Line (WCML) between London Euston and Stirling, central Scotland, are operating despite all onboard toilets being out of use.
The FirstGroup-owned company warned about “a fault” with the toilets in a post on social media platform X on Saturday August 1.
Services have been stopping for longer at stations such as Preston to allow passengers to get off and use toilets on platforms.
The 6.11am departure from London Euston on Friday, which was affected, ran with a 58-minute delay and terminated at Motherwell, North Lanarkshire.
Lumo operates its West Coast services with refurbished Class 222 Meridian trains.
These are also used by East Midlands Railway, which has suffered toilet faults with its fleet.
Train operators in Britain are not legally required to provide onboard toilets.
The journey between London and Stirling is 417 miles.
A Lumo spokesperson said: “We have been experiencing some issues with the reliability of some of our toilet facilities onboard our West Coast services.
“We are working closely with Alstom to rectify the issues.”
Alstom refurbished the trains for Lumo.
The train operator also runs services on the East Coast Main Line, connecting London Kings Cross with Edinburgh, Glasgow and Falkirk.
It operates on an open access basis, meaning it sets its own fares, takes on all revenue risk and receives no taxpayer-funded subsidies.
It is not affected by the Government’s renationalisation of all remaining franchised train services in Britain.
Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson Olly Glover posted on X: “Is Lumo attempting to become the Ryanair of the rails?”
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