New figures, released by TransPennine Express (TPE), a publicly-owned train operator, reveal how the rail operator has delivered a dramatic turnaround under public ownership. Since transferring into public ownership in May 2023, TPE has reduced cancellations by 75%, increased customer journeys by 42%, and grown revenue by 54%. In the last financial year alone, the […]
Category: Government
South Western services return to public hands
On Sunday 26 May, South Western Railway (SWR) services became the first to transfer back into public control as the government begins its drive to renationalise the UK’s network under Great British Railways (GBR). The 06.14 from London Waterloo to Shepperton was the first rebranded train out on Sunday as part of a publicly owned […]
FirstGroup celebrates South Western Railway’s as it transfers to public control
FirstGroup is celebrating the achievements of South Western Railway (SWR) and the hundreds of millions of pounds of improvements the operator has seen since 2017. FirstGroup and MTR have been operating SWR since that year, connecting communities and providing commuter, regional and long-distance services to customers in South West London, the southern counties of England […]
Greater Anglia to be nationalised from October
The Department for Transport has confirmed that Greater Anglia is set to be nationalised on 12 October 2025. The train operator has said that it is committed to ensuring a smooth transition to public ownership and has both the plans and expertise in place to deliver this outcome. In the meantime, it will continue to […]
Greater Anglia to be nationalised from October
The Department for Transport has confirmed that Greater Anglia is set to be nationalised on 12 October 2025. The train operator has said that it is committed to ensuring a smooth transition to public ownership and has both the plans and expertise in place to deliver this outcome. In the meantime, it will continue to […]
Minimum age for train drivers lowered to 18
Eighteen-year-olds will now be allowed to drive trains now that the Government has lowered the minimum age from 20 in a bid to tackle driver shortages. Thousands of jobs and apprenticeships will be made available to those between 18 and 20 years old as early as December, offering skilled roles, valuable experience, and long-term career […]
Publicly-owned train operators collaborate to improve experience of deaf passengers
Publicly-owned train operators will collaborate more and share best practice on products and services to improve accessibility on the railway. Robin Gisby, chief executive of DFTO, the body responsible for train operators in public ownership – which already includes LNER, Northern, Southeastern, and TransPennine Express – says as more operators join the group, even more […]
Transport Secretary faces MPs on rail reform, decarbonisation and airport expansion
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander MP will face the Transport Committee for the first time since taking up the post. The cross-party Committee will question the Cabinet Minister on the range of major reforms the Department for Transport is undertaking, as well as on wider strategic issues such as decarbonisation across transport modes and road safety. […]