Government confirms next train services to integrate into Great British Railways

The government has confirmed West Midlands Trains, Govia Thameslink Railway, and Chiltern Railways and Great Western Railways as the next three train operating companies whose services will transfer into public ownership, as part of the government’s overhaul of the railways through the creation of Great British Railways.

After Greater Anglia’s services transfer this month, West Midlands Trains services will then follow on 1 February 2026, before Govia Thameslink Railway’s services on 31 May 2026.

This means by the middle of next year more than half of all rail journeys in Great Britain will be under public ownership.

Chiltern Railways and Great Western Railways services are then expected to follow with Heidi Alexander, the Secretary of State of Transport, due to make final decisions on when this will happen in due course.

All passenger services operating under contracts with the department are expected to return to public ownership by the end of 2027 and will eventually be integrated into Great British Railways. Services are being transferred after contracts reach the end of their minimum term, ensuring taxpayers pay no additional costs for breaking contracts early.

Legislation to establish Great British Railways, the new public company which will take responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the railways, will be introduced this Parliamentary session.