A ROW over rail services in York has been reopened after Grand Central promised to under cut rival GNER's parking prices by 50 per cent.

The new train operator, which earlier this year won the right to run services on the East Coast Main Line, says it will provide an "out of town" parking location - with a "guaranteed"

connection to a Grand Central train at York Station - and will charge only £6.

Managing director Ian Yeowart took a swipe at York-based GNER, which this month announced it was increasing parking charges at the station from £8 to £12.

The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) allowed Grand Central to run services on the East Coast Main Line - a decision which infuriated GNER, which saw its plan to run extra trains to Leeds shelved by the decision.

Mr Yeowart said: "As part of Grand Central's new rail services to London recently announced by the ORR, car parking, or rather the lack and cost of it at the station, is being addressed by us.

"As well as offering value for money and easy to understand fares, we will provide an out-of-town location, close to Park&Ride, offering secure parking and a guaranteed connection into a Grand Central train at the station.

"The cost will be £6 per day and includes transfer to the station. City of York Council has been assisting in the development of this for more than 12 months."

Mr Yeowart also reiterated Grand Central will offer private transport to connect with its services for a fixed fee from zones three, six and nine miles from the station.

The company hopes its services will be up and running by the end of the year.

GNER spokesman John Gelson said: "Car park charges at York station have not risen for more than 18 months, while charges elsewhere in the city centre have increased. Our new prices will remain competitive with other all-day parking charges in the city centre.

"The new prices reflect the investment already made at York Station, and that there is much more to come. The price changes come at a time when improvements are creating a better and brighter station for the city.

"We are also planning to invest a further £4 million in a wider range of improvements to the station in the near future, including providing 58 extra long-stay car park spaces."

Updated: 11:21 Monday, May 15, 2006