Labour has confirmed that it will renationalise three major rail operators as part of its broader plan to bring the UK’s railways back into public ownership. South Western Railway will be brought under public control in May 2025, C2C in July 2025, and Greater Anglia in autumn 2025, according to the Department for Transport.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander emphasized that the move aims to address long-standing issues with reliability, delays, cancellations, and inefficiency in the rail system. Speaking on BBC Breakfast, she stated that the government is committed to improving rail services, citing the need to “turn the page on 30 years of failure.”
However, some critics have questioned whether public ownership alone will be enough to resolve the rail system’s challenges. They argue that without significant investment in infrastructure and services, the renationalisation may not result in improved reliability or more affordable fares.
The renationalisation forms part of Labour’s larger strategy to bring rail services back into public hands as private franchises expire. Under the current system, private companies operate train services for fixed periods, while the government is ultimately responsible for infrastructure maintenance and improvements.
The Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Act 2024, which passed last week, paves the way for Labour to take over rail contracts when each private franchise ends over the next five years. A new government body, Great British Railways (GBR), is set to manage service contracts and eventually take on the responsibility for rail infrastructure from Network Rail.
While Labour’s goal is to improve reliability and save £150 million annually in fees, there is uncertainty over whether the move will result in lower train ticket prices. When asked about the potential for cheaper fares, Alexander did not provide a direct answer but focused on reducing cancellations and improving service punctuality. She highlighted the reduction of cancelled trains due to staff shortages as a success story, particularly with LNER services.
Rail Partners, which represents private train operators, expressed skepticism about Labour’s plan, warning that merely changing who runs the trains will not address underlying issues such as fare increases, poor reliability, or rail freight growth. Chief executive Andy Bagnall stated that Labour has avoided making the critical decisions necessary to fix the rail system.
The rail system has been under intense pressure in recent years, exacerbated by strikes across England, Scotland, and Wales. The government’s operator of last resort took over services for four major operators during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Transport for Wales and ScotRail have already been brought under public control in the last few years.
South Western Railway, C2C, and Greater Anglia are key operators for commuters in their respective regions. South Western Railway runs more than 1,500 services daily in the south of England, while C2C serves stations in east London and south Essex, and Greater Anglia connects London with several counties in eastern England.
Despite the challenges posed by privatisation, Labour believes that its plan to renationalise rail services will provide a better alternative, but the full impact on services and ticket prices remains to be seen.