Government introduces the Railways Bill paving the way for Great British Railways
The Railways Bill has been laid before Parliament, setting out plans to create Great British Railways (GBR), a unified publicly owned organisation that will oversee both train operations and rail infrastructure, aiming to simplify management and improve service delivery.
image: DfT
Currently split across more than 17 organisations, the network is often confusing and unreliable. GBR aims to unify management, simplify fares, improve timetables, and make journeys easier for passengers. The Railways Bill will also establish a strengthened passenger watchdog, creating “a powerful new voice to investigate poor service and advocate for improvements.”
Headquartered in Derby, GBR will also oversee freight services and revenue management, providing a single accountable authority for the first time.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said, “Britain deserves a railway that is fit for the future – one that rebuilds the trust of its passengers, regenerates its communities and restores reliability and value for money.
“The introduction of this legislation is a major step towards a rail network that supports Britain’s businesses and delivers for the travelling public – paving the way for economic growth and access to opportunity across the country.”
Overall the plans will deliver on the Transport Secretary’s six objectives for a reformed railway – reliable, affordable, efficient, high quality, accessible and safe. Specific significant changes signalled in the bill include:
Fare and ticketing reform: Simplified fares and a one-stop app for bookings
Freight growth: Long-term planning and capacity allocation
Local input: Devolved governments and city mayors will have a stronger role in running local services
Accessibility improvements: Expanded Disabled Persons Railcard eligibility, better staff training, and upgrades to lifts and escalators.
Strengthened passenger watchdog: with new powers to investigate poor service and demand improvements
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said, “The introduction of the Railways Bill to Parliament marks a pivotal moment for rail reform across the country. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make trains more reliable and tickets easier to use, with clearer accountability for passengers and greater confidence in every journey.
“In Greater Manchester, we’re already making progress by working with the government and the rail industry to connect trains, buses, trams and cycling routes as part of the next phase of the Bee Network. We’ll keep working closely with partners to shape the new legislation, ensuring Mayors and city regions have a key statutory role in joining up the railways in their areas, making them work for everyone and unlocking rail as an engine of growth across the country.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates, said the introduction of the UK Railways Bill will improve rail services and deliver a more integrated, accountable and passenger-focused railway across the UK. “It is also a significant step forward in our collaborative approach to rail reform, and I am confident that our continued joint working with the UK government will ensure the delivery of a modern, integrated railway that works for passengers in Wales and throughout the United Kingdom.”
Ben Plowden, Chief Executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said “An accessible, affordable and reliable rail network integrated with the wider transport system is key to delivering sustainable economic growth and improving regional productivity.
“Today marks another important step on the road to realising this vision and delivering a railway that works for passengers, freight operators and the country as a whole.”
Jane Gratton, Deputy Director of Public Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, said, “Businesses welcome plans for a more joined-up rail system, which gives regions a stronger voice in shaping services. An efficient rail network is crucial to unlock opportunities for investment, jobs and growth across the country.
“Great British Rail must deliver the certainty and connectivity that businesses are desperate for – with the needs of passengers and freight customers central to future decision making.”
Anna-jane Hunter, Chair at CILT(UK), also called for a strong focus on balancing the needs of both freight customers and passengers, which will help ensure that freight capacity and investment decisions fully reflect the growing demand for sustainable logistics. “The success of Great British Railways,” she said, “will depend on achieving a balance between national coordination and local responsiveness, while preserving opportunities for innovation and competition.”